Hot Chocolate Dunkers!

I haven't a clue why i had this idea but it kind of works! Its basically a ball of chocolate on a stick and when you mix it in hot milk it turns into a lovely creamy hot chocolate. 

You will need 

~ Cup of hot milk

~ Milk Chocolate (or dark if you like it stronger)

~ think/heavy cream

~ pinch of salt

~ lollipop sticks

~ Spoon

Melt the chocolate and cream in a pan (about half and half, maybe a bit more chocolate than cream). Add the pinch of salt. Pour into a bowl and leave to cool. Once it is at room temperature pop the bowl into the fridge for a few hours until hardened. 

Scrap the chocolate with a spoon and roll in hands to form a ball. Pop onto a lollipop stick and put back in the fridge until they firm up again. Simples..

You going to have a go?! Let me know..

Lauren x

Festive Christmas Tag!

I was tagged to do this Festive tag so...here goes..

Favourite Christmas Movie?

Either The Muppet Christmas Carols or Annie... i just can’t make up my mind...I was in the production Annie when i was younger and love the original film (Im sure it’s not too everyones taste) But you can’t go wrong with a dose of The Muppets!

Are you on the Naughty list or the Nice list?

Nice...always nice... I think.

Have you ever had a White Christmas?

Nope...Well it did snow last year but not on chritmas day. I remember in snowed on my brothers birthday once (in February!!) and I was so angry at my mum because she didn’t order snow for my birthday in September!! Pfff...

Where do you usually spend your holiday?

At home with my family. I have missed a few Christmas’ when living abroad but it’s never the same.

What's your favourite Christmas song?

Hmm...That’s a tough one... most probably  Do they know it's Christmas/Band Aid

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

I remember as a kid if I had stayed at my Grandmas she would let me but no not usually.

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Erm..Rudolph, prancer, dancer, lancer, chancer, pritzle, pringle and pretzel? I tried..

What Christmas tradition are you looking forward to most this year?

Christmas dinner HAS to be at the top of the list. And feeling that full you feel sick..But you carry on eating desserts and chocolate!

Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

Always real. My mum would never have a fake one as she loves the smell of a real one too much. The only annoying thing about a real tree is the needles always falling off and making a mess.. Especially when my daft dog tries to get his presents out and shakes the whole tree which by the way is usually about 10 foot. We have high ceilings.

What's your all-time favourite Christmas sweet treat?

CHOCOLATE ORANGE! We get about ten every year off my Nan.

Do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

I love giving presents; well I mainly love buying the presents. It’s so satisfying coming home after shopping with so many bags you can’t fit through the door. But I do get excited about receiving a gift or two I’m not going to lie.

What would be your dream place to visit for the Christmas season?

Lapland... I’m a big kid at Christmas and I think it’s about time I met the real Santa.

Does your family have a special Christmas recipe you like to help make?

Mum always makes the best gravy...real gravy! I always stir it so I can say I helped with dinner ;)

Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?

I’m not too bad at it. I always like making them look like something else...eg something small i will put in a massive box or a poster and make it look like a cracker.

Most memorable Christmas moment?

It was 14 years ago. My dad always picked me up at 11am on Christmas morning to go to my grandmas. But this certain Christmas he didn’t arrive. I remember looking out of the window thinking he didn’t want to see me that day... Turns out he was in hospital because my little sister (half but I never say that) was being born! Yep she’s a Christmas baby...well teenager now!

What made you realise the truth about Father Christmas?

What do you mean the truth? Has something happened to Father Christmas? Is there something you know and I don’t?

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you stick to them?

Nah... No point...

What makes Christmas special for you?

Being with family and eating lots and watching crap on TV. That what Christmas is about isn’t it?!

 Happy Christmas everyone! 

Lauren x

Washi Tapes

This is the second post on the trot (trot..I don't like that word...) ..that I am mentioning The Glue Gun Girl but I entered a giveaway over on her blog the other week and I was one of the winners! Woopieee!! So I thought I would share what I won with you because I think they are FABULOUS!

It came very cutely packaged and the Washi Tape designs that I received are lovely, especially, seen as I'm a singer, the one with music notes all round it. I look forward to putting them into good use. Lisa also popped in a little keyring that she had made which was very kind of her. I must admit I have made some felt keyrings in the past after seeing Lisa's youtube channel last year. (I swear she's going to think I'm a stalker...I'm really not)

Lauren x

Coffee Bean Wreath

Since my Mum and Stepdad opened a coffee shop I have been making bits and bobs to display in there and as its coming up to christmas what better to make than Christmas wreaths. The original plan was to make the bog standard wreath will holly and berries on it until my mum said 'Why don't you use coffee beans?'. I have made a few mini wreaths that can be hung on door handles etc and the best thing about the coffee bean ones is you get that AMAZING smell. I am not a coffee drinking..never have never will, but the smell is unbelievable (in my eyes.....i mean nose). 

I started of making a felt wreath after I saw the tutorial on The Glue Gun Girl's blog hence why it has wool wrapped around it...but it worked out well because the coffee bean stuck really well to the wool. You can buy the polystyrene wreaths at craft stores or on ebay. All i did was stick the beans on one by one with a hot glue gun positioning them at different angles. Continuing it all the way round the wreath just not on the back. Then at the end I stuck on a bit of ribbon to make the hanging loop. Since I have made this little one I have made a few more but with different ribbons and some have red bows on the top. I will post a pic of them in another blog.

I'm going to be making more but never I'm tackling cloves and cinnamon sticks! :)

Let me know what you think and if you have any other suggestions of making any Christmassy goodies I would love to try more.

Happy Sunday

Lauren x

El Presco?! OOTD

You may wonder why I have called this post 'El Presco' well i have just realized that everything I am wearing is from either Primark or Tesco!! Clever hey.. (your not cool Lauren!)

Today has been a day of lots of little journeys and genuinely getting things done so I dressed comfy and warm! :)

Jumper ~ Tesco

Jeans ~ Primark

Boots ~ Tesco (mums!)

Cami ~ Primark

Scarf ~ Shop in Cyprus

Lauren x

Quirky Christmas Gifts...

Christmas has crept up on us far to fast this year. However I do love a shop so when I get the chance to shop for a lot of people over the space of a few weeks it makes me happy! :)
As I am busier this year than I was last year I have been shopping around on the internet more and found some brilliant quirky gifts that I thought i would share with you. If anything they will make you either laugh or smile.. let me know which one.

Monkey Nail Dryer The cutest nail dryer in the world!! 

Great Lies To Tell Small Kids I'm sure my Grandad wrote this book!!

Camera Mug My friend Nikki would LOVE this mug.. She has a Tumblr called 'fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds' Click HERE to check it out.

Fridge Pets I'm still not entirely sure what these are but one of them id a penguin..so i want one!

Magic Tree Who remembers these?!?! I loved them. Cant believe they still sell them. If you dont have a clue what they are check out the video link below.

Click here to see what the Magic Tree does...

Are you all ready for Christmas?? What are your Christmas traditions??

Mine is too wake up SUPER early and annoy everyone in the house by singing  kumbaya..i know what your thinking...weird girl! Me too!!

Have a good day people!!

Lauren xx

My Everyday Favourites...

I have been using these same products every day for a good few months now and i LOVE them.

I am not one for wearing eye shadow as an every day routine but i do pop a bit of concealer on the eye lids to even them out a bit.  

Mascara ~ Loreal Paris Voluminous in Black

The mascara i hated when i first got it but enjoying it alot more now its drying up a little. 

Concealer ~ M.A.C Select Cover up in NW20

I suffer with dark under eye circles and this does wonders. Its not drying and doesnt sit in the creases.

Bronzer ~ Bourjois Delice de Poudre in 52

I havent used another bronzer since i got this one a year ago and still havent hit pan. Such a perfect colour for contouring.

Souffle Blush ~ Barbra Daly in Rose

The best colour for a natural look..blends well too. I just dab this on with my fingers.

Powder Blush ~ Natural Collection in Rosy Glow

I have repurchased this same blush three times...now thats saying something!!

Blush Brush ~ Stole it from my mum when I was young! ;) No idea where its from

Cheeky cheeky!

Bronzer Brush ~ Eye Lips Face aka ELF cosmetics

Brilliant size for contouring, washes well and very cheap! 

So...theres my favourites ;o) If you have any recommendations of any similar products that you think are better than these then comment below, I always love finding new products! Well i just love shopping!...

This post will be featured on the Lola Lola Blog. Go check this company out.. They have come up with a brilliant idea of being able to win weekly prizes..Im on my way to their website to register now! :)

Last but not least let me introduce you to our Beagle.. His name is Alfie and he is 8 doggy years old. He wanted to join in the blogging fun!!

Hope you are all having a lovely Bonfire weekend... be safe kids!!

 Someone wanted to get in on the picture taking.... "wait Lauren im yawning!!"

"Ok.. ready for my close up"