Photo Diary: Week 37

 cove at durdle door // view // durdle door // driving home // harry potter studio tour // display // butterbeer // privit drive // hogwarts // hot air balloon on the way home // flowers from dad // pyo strawberries // making lemonade // new camera bag // my favourite // seriously love this guy // cute paw // bought a massive map // 72p for some flowers // sweets from harry potter // card from mum and dad

Shane and I had a great little break in weymouth last weekend and came back to the news that I got a new job! I start tomorrow and I'm so nervous/excited. I did my last shift at my current job today which was so weird since I've been there for 4.5 years (I started there when I was 16!) so it was a bit strange to leave. I'm hoping it won't affect the blog too much since I've gone from working only weekends to working monday-friday so hopefully it won't be too disrupted around here. Hope you have a great week! 

You can follow me on instagram with the username aprileveryday

Portland Bill

On Sunday evening, we popped down to Portland Bill Lighthouse for a little walk and explore. We were actually wanting to go to it during the day so we could get a tour of it, but unfortunately they were shut the only day that we were free so we just popped down to explore from the outside during the evening haha! I've been wanting this jumper for ages, but couldn't bring myself to fork out the £ for it, so I was searching ebay and it came up with just one result. I was so happy that it was in my size too! It feels great when things like that happen - like it's somehow meant to be (especially when you win it for half the price you would have paid!) :)

Jumper: Topshop via ebay // Shorts: New Look // Headband: ASDA // Sunglasses: H&M // Sandals: Dorothy Perkins // Bag: Accessorize //

The Marina

These are from our trip down in Weymouth for the weekend. Can you believe that this is my third time visiting and I only just found out that they had a whole marina hiding behind the beach there haha! I've only ever visited the beach and town centre, but never really ventured more into weymouth and was so excited to find a whole massive marina just a couple minutes walk from our bed + breakfast haha! I bought this jumper and wasn't too sure on it but I fell in love with. It's nice enough to be warm, but nice enough to keep me cool too! Also, the colour is just perfect haha! 

Jumper: Next // Shorts: New Look // Sandals: Dorothy Perkins // Bag: Accessorize // Sunglasses: H&M

Featured: Smashion

Just a quick little post for now to let you know that I was interviewed over at the lovely website Smashion today. I've found some great new reads over there browsing through all their previous interviews so I'd definately go check it out if you haven't already. You can find my interview here! 

I should have an outfit post up later tonight (hopefully - we're having some friends over for a BBQ so I may end up loosing track of time haha). Have a lovely day!

Photo Diary: Week 36

 freshly laid eggs from our chickens // evening sun // closeup // got bored and gave shane a topknot // mcdonalds for breakfast // view from our room // the most amazing icecream ever // at the beach // in the sea // pretty alley // marina // view // breakfast room // breakfast // monkey world // cute lunch // sea view // at a lighthouse // lighthouse // dinner // starter

So this weekend is mine and Shane's 3 year anniversary (tomorrow technically) so we decided to go on a little long weekend break to Weymouth. I'm so happy with the weather we've had this weekend as it's probably the best weather we've had all summer, and apparently its supposed to continue for the next couple days. Yay! Then tomorrow we're off to the Harry Potter Studio Tour! I'm so excited! Hope everyone has a good week!

You can follow me on instagram with the username aprileveryday

The Perfect Match

I was so suprised at how well the colours in the skirt match to the top! It's literally the perfect match. I'm not sure how I feel about this outfit though - it's one of those that look a lot better in real life than it does in photos. I also don't like my shoes with this outfit, but I don't have much choice in terms of footware (I literally have 3 pairs of shoes + 1 pair of sandals. Shoes never fit me properly so I have the hardest time finding shoes haha), so they just had to do. Have a lovely weekend - I'm so excited for a little trip Shane and I have planned for our 3 year anniversary. You can follow on instagram for 'live' updates, but I'll be blogging about it when we get back! :)

P.S. I also made some blog buttons which you can find at the side if you want to add them to your site ;) 

Top: Dorothy Perkins // Skirt: Topshop // Belt: H&M // Shoes: Minnetonka

Simple

Shane and I took these photos last week while we actually had some sunshine. I love the little cat that always joins us while we take photos. It's so cute! I've been feeling a little uninspired lately with my outfits, mainly due to the rubbish weather we've been having lately, but I really like this outfit. It's nice and simple. It's actually this dress folded down into a skirt. I love how I've learned to make things more versatile and create different outfits with the same things through blogging. I never used to do that before haha! Hope you have a lovely week!

Dress (worn as skirt): Modcloth // Top: H&M // Belt: Forever 21 // Shoes: River Island // Necklace: ASOS

Photo Diary: Week 35

 new 'vase' // making chocolate gateau // finished chocolate gateau // lush // italian food market // italian desserts // new cushions // fresh flowers in a vintage milk bottle // freshly picked flowers from the garden // pressing flowers // roasted red pepper hummus, cheese, ham, lettuce and grilled tomato sandwich // sunflowers for the house // yarn // took me 2 hours but i finally got the hang of it // cows // finished some squares // closeup // added more yarn to the collection 

If you didn't notice, I started making a crochet blanket of granny squares. I've never crocheted before in my life and had no idea where to start, but I went out and bought loads of yarn. I almost gave up (I'm so impatient) but finally after 2 hours I got the hang of it and now I'm on a roll! I even bought more yarn too haha! I can't wait to see it finished! I'm so excited for this coming weekend - It's mine and Shane's 3 year anniversary so we're going on a little trip! I can't wait! Hope you had a good week!

You can follow me on instagram with the username aprileveryday

Review: REN Vita Mineral Day Cream

REN Vita Mineral Day Cream (50ml) ~ £25

I bought this moisturiser a couple months ago in a sample size box set for normal skin containing a cleanser, day cream, night cream and a glycolactic radience renewal mask and fell in love with it the first time I used it so I ended up buying the full size one along with the rosa centifolia cleansing gel which you can find a separate review of here. 

This is a light moisturiser which is supposed to hydrate, replenish and tone while protecting the skin from free radicals. I just pump 1-2 pumps onto my fingers and rub it into my skin. It applies really smoothly onto the skin and is absorbed nice and quick so I don't feel like I have to sit and wait to apply my makeup after - it literally feels like I've just rubbed water over my face, though my skin still feels moisturised.

It is a lightly scented product which I know some people don't like, but it isnt too overpowering. It doesn't feel greasy at all on my skin which I find a lot of moisturisers do so my skin feels nice and clean throughout the day without feeling greasy. I found that after using this for a couple days, my skin is a lot more radiant, soft and brighter than usual and my dry patches on my nose and forehead have completely gone. My skin feels a lot more balanced in terms of dryness and I feel that my skin has gone from being dry to normal since using this product. 

I really like how it comes in a pump form rather than a pot like most moisturisers as it feels a lot more hygenic and I know how much to use each time. This is by far the best moisturiser I have used and would totally recommend it. 

Have you tried this moisturiser? What did you think? 

*For reference I have normal-dehydrated skin. I'm not a skincare expert and what may work for me may not necessarily work for you.* 

Review: REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel

 REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel (150ml) ~ £17

I decided to try this out after reading a couple reviews on blogs. I came across a sample box set which contained sample sizes of the cleanser, day cream, night cream and a glycolactic radience renewal mask for normal skin for only £13 in John Lewis so I bought that to try out. They also do sample boxes for other skin types too.

The Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel is a foaming face wash which took me a while to get used to after using the liz earle cleanse and polish for so long, but it doesn't foam too much which is nice. I just pump 1/2 a pump onto wet hands and rub all over my face for a minute or so then wash off with a warm face cloth. It has a slight scent of rose to it which isn't too in your face and it feels really refreshing on your skin.

After washing my face feels amazingly clean, fresh and light, but not stripped, dry or tight which most face washes usually do to my skin. It always leaves my skin feeling really soft too and it is supposed to balance, tone and smooth your skin, which I feel it does. My pores after using for a couple days decreased in size and my skin felt a lot more balanced (my nose and chin could sometimes feel a little oily towards the end of the day).

I love how you can see how much of the product you have left as the container is clear. It also uses a vacuum bag system where the cleanser is stored in a bag and each time you pump it, the bag sucks in making sure every bit of the product can be used up. The only downside I found is that it isn't supposed to be used on the eyes so I have to use a separate product to remove my eye makeup which can be a bit lengthy, rather than just using the same product to clean my whole face. I also found that when I stopped using the product for a few days my skin broke out quite bad but cleared up when I started using it again.

I would definately reccommend REN if you're looking to try out a new cleanser or moisturiser. Though it can be a little on the pricey side (though you do get a lot of product), this is definately by far the best cleanser I have used and I honestly don't think I'll be changing this anytime soon. I also use the Vita Mineral Day Cream which I've done a separate review on here.

Have you tried any REN products? What did you think? 

*For reference I have normal-dehydrated skin. I'm not a skincare expert and what may work for me may not necessarily work for you.*

Guest Post on The Ginger Diaries

Just a quick post today to let you know that I'm guest posting for Nikki on her lovely blog The Ginger Diaries (you can find the post here) today while she is off exploring NYC and Washington DC for 2 weeks (I'm so jealous hah). It's a travel themed post so I decided to do a post on what I usually wear while I travel. Hope you enjoy!

Recipe: Chocolate Gateau

This may just be the most amazing cake ever. Chocolate Gateau is one of the only cakes that I actually like - I think its more the cream and cherries masking the taste of the cake (I'm not a cake fan hah). The other day I was just craving a homemade chocolate gateau so looked for a simple looking recipe and came across this one. It is seriously like the most easiest recipe and it even came out ok, and thats something of an achievement for me since I can't bake cakes to save my life haha! Let me know if you make it! 

Ingredients: 

For the cake

175g butter

200g dark chocolate

300g plain flour

375g caster sugar 

25g cocoa powder

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

2 medium eggs

200g buttermilk

To assemble

425g pitted cherries (or frozen morello cherries), reserving some of the juice

100g morello cherry jam

500ml double cream

3 tbsp icing sugar

Method: 

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Put the butter and 75g of chocolate into a small pan and heat gently till completely melted. 

2. Mix the dry cake ingredients together in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs and buttermilk in a separate bowl. 

3. Pour the melted chocolate and egg/buttermilk mix into the dry ingredients and add 100ml boiling water then whisk briefly with an electric whisk till the batter is lump free. 

4. Divide the mix between 3 x 20cm cake tins (that have been greased or lined with greasproof paper) and bake for 20-25 minutes (until a scewer comes out clean).

5. Prick the cakes a few times with a scewer and pour over a little of the leftover cherry juice onto each cake and leave to cool. 

5. Meanwhile, mix together the cherries and jam. Pour 200ml cream into a small pan and heat till just before boiling point, then pour over the remaining 125g chocolate and stir till melted then leave to cool. 

6. Whisk the remaining 300ml cream and icing sugar till softly whipped then spread over two of the cooled cakes, then top with the jammy cherry mix. Stack the cakes and spread the chocolate cream mix over the top cake then place some fresh cherries on top (or some reserved from the can/frozen cherries) and serve.

Swans and Mint

Yes. I am wearing the swan print skirt again. I did mention that you would probably be seeing it a lot - I just didn't think I meant this much haha. I just can't help it... Anyway, I've been on the hunt for a new pair of shoes since my trusty black shoes are on their way out. And by way out, I mean already dead. I've been walking around with holes in the sole for the past 6 months or so, and after 6 months of what feels like walking barefoot (in rain) I had to find a replacement. I'm still on the hunt for some black ones, but for now these will do as they're the only shoes I can find that look decent and don't take chunks out of my feet haha! Still not entirely sold on them - why do they have to be so light? But it feels so much better than walking ariound with wet feet/tights. :)

Blouse: Primark // Skirt: Topshop // Cardigan: Mango // Shoes: ASOS // Necklace: Accessorize

Photo Diary: Week 34

 trying these out // herbs - week 5/6 // chilli con carne // addicted to the kindle app (reading insurgent) // little corner of our room // bought these // mr toff // coffee (bean) // pretty summer flowers // at the locks // pretty nails and dress // watermelon // topshop order // bought some topshop highlighter & lipstick // homemade spinach & mushroom calzone 

I'm so shocked that only 3 pictures out of this whole week have been of food haha! I'm used to pretty much everything being of my food, but I do actually do other things apart from eat haha! We had some nice weather this week so me and Shane went out after work a couple days which was nice. What have you been up to this week? 

You can find me on instagram with the username aprileveryday :)

Summer Basics

This is definately one of those outfits that looks much better in real life than in pictures. I'm so glad the weather brightened up this evening (it was raining all day) so me and Shane took the opportunity to go for a walk. Summer is most definately my favourite season - I just love the sunshine and warm weather. I also got my hair cut today for the first time in 2 years! I usually just cut it myself every few months but I wanted it a bit more styled and some layers added in, so I braved the hairdressers haha! I really like the way it turned out, even if there isn't much difference than before haha! Have a lovely weekend! 

Dress & Belt: H&M // Shoes: Minnetonka // Necklace: Topshop

New Favourite Dress

I absolutely love this dress. I saw it on the ASOS website a few months ago and fell in love with it but didn't have enough money to get it. After I got paid the other day, I was browsing my shopping folder and found that the dress was in the sale, so of course, I bought it haha! I just love the print and colour - I don't have much green in my wardrobe and the print is just so perfect. Hope you have a lovely week! 

Dress: ASOS // Bracelet: c/o Willis Judd // Belt: H&M // Shoes: River Island