Pineapple and Honey White Wine Slush

Last year when I was working in London, I learned the hard way that if you are a woman and want to give off an air of professionalism, you need to like wine. OK, that’s not strictly true, but at the time I was 19, and let’s just say if you go for a business dinner and you order a coke, you certainly look 19. So wine made me look (or at least feel) older and more mature. 

I didn’t like wine at the time, and only through many, many attempts, did I learn to like rose. I’m still not a big fan of white (and don’t even get me started on red... baby steps remember) however I was given a bottle as an after exam present, so needed to use it. And this is how this recipe was born.

My problem with white wine, is that it isn’t sweet enough for me, so I decided to really sweeten it by using one of my favourite fruits; pineapple. The combination of all three flavours really works, and it such a lovely light cocktail, perfect for long barbecue nights or evenings with the girlfriends. 

To make you will need:

• 250ml of your favourite white wine.
• 150g pineapple chunks
• 1 table spoon of runny honey

First pour the white into an ice cube tray and allow to freeze.

Once frozen, tip the (drained, if using canned) pineapple chunks into a blender or smoothie maker, along with the runny honey and the now frozen wine.

Wiz on a low setting until crushed, put not melted.

Serve immediately in a chilled wine glass. 

One of the simplest drinks to put together, but utterly refreshing. Now finally I can say ‘Pass me the wine!’.

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Graduation Ball Prep: Hair Care

Me and my hair have a bit of a frenemie relationship. I have battled with my hair since the day I was born. First there was the ginger thing- now, hear me out. I now love my ginger hair, red is c’est chic now, but let’s be honest, there were downsides of being a ‘carrot top’ when you were a 12 year old shy, nerdy kid. But hey, water under the bridge!

But then, my hair took a second blow to me, it is naturally very curly, very frizzy, and very dry. So to cut a long story short, it’s been a long uphill battle since day dot.

Needless to say, when milestone events come along, such as my impending graduation, I keep my fingers crossed it’s going to behave for me. So to help it along I’ve been pampering it and giving it extra love lately, with a little help from a couple of products from Neal & Wolf and Label.m.

For actually washing and conditioning, I cannot part from Tresemme, however for that extra TLC, I’ve started using an Intensive Care Treatment.

For any type of damaged or over processed hair, you should always use a intensive conditioner to help give it an extra moisture boot to help it repair. After I’ve shampoo’d and conditioned normally, I’ll step out of the shower, slather this all on, and pile my hair high on my head. Ideally, the longer you leave you hair the better, but I know time isn’t always unlimited, so I leave it on while I do an intensive exfoliation so up to around 10 minutes.

Now for Graduation Ball, I want lots of volume in my hair, a la Cheryl Cole. Normally I don’t use any extra products, as I find I always seem to end up with cake-y clogged up product in my hair. However I thought I’d try again. I’ve been experimenting with 2 products for the last few weeks, to perfect my technique, and I am very happy with the results. 

First I’ve been using Neal & Wolfs Volumising lotion, which you apply to towel dry hair and blow dry. If your hair is naturally curly like mine, and you don’t straighten it unlike me, apply this and tip your head upside down, and using a diffuser nozzle, blow dry and scrunch your hair. I promise your hair will be massive!

However, I’ve also been using label.m resurrectionstyle dust for the final touch. It is a very fine powder, a little more creamy than talc, which can be used to create a variety of styles. I’ve used it to back comb small sections of my roots, and its worked wonders as it holds together the hair and creates extra lift, giving my hair roots extra height.

I haven’t personally, but my housemate tried it to create some texture in her fine hair, and stopped her style from dropping out as quick, which fine hair often does. 

You might remember last week I went out for dinner and drinks with my friends. Well I had used all three of these products that night, and I personally think my hair was pretty fabulous (if I do say so myself). 

 Only 1 week now till Graduation Ball, I'm really excited. There is going to be a circus, and bands, and lots of gorgeous dresses to lust after.
If you still haven't found your perfect dress yet, I've put together a collection of Graduation Ball dress ideas that may help you.

 Also if you have any beauty tips for me too, I’d love to hear them. 

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Life as we know it

Life as I know it is over. For the past 4 years I have been at university, and now... it’s over. In fact, my identity for the last 18 years as ‘student’ is over. A rather surreal moment for me right now. And no, to be quite honest right now, nothing feels any different. No sudden transformation into a sensible adult, no endowment of maturity, no instead, I’m trying to hold onto my student image just for that bit longer *said with a packet of gummy bears in right hand, cup of coffee in the left*

University has been one of the most rollercoaster experiences of my life. Honestly, looking back, I wonder how I’ve come out so normal. 

Pre university, I was a completely different person. I wouldn’t recognise myself now. I was totally shy, to the extreme that I struggled to talk to people. I would stutter on the phone, stutter if a ‘cool kid’ talked to me, and don’t even get me started on trying to order food in a cafe! I was also bullied and made fun off, leading to all round low esteem. 

Going to university was a big step, it could have been make or break really, but my god I’m grateful I made it. From the minute I stepped into my student house of 12 I just felt at ease, I didn’t feel shy, I didn’t stutter, in fact I suddenly realised here I had the chance to reinvent myself, I had a clean slate where no one knew that I was shy. And boy did I take that opportunity. I became so confident, so fearless; I wonder how I managed before.

My first year of university is a close contender for one of the best years of my life. I loved my housemates; we played ridiculous pranks on each other...

We made fools of ourselves together...

But most of all, I loved every second of it.

Second year... not so much though. Second year was the nose dive I never envisioned, and while I don’t feel like talking about it, I’m grateful to every single person who was there for me, I will never forget all those tiny moments. Just to make sure people don’t get the wrong impression, I didn’t do drugs, I didn’t do anything illegal, nothing like that!! I just was in a bad place. 

Third year I moved to London Baby!

As part of my degree I did a year working in Industry, or an undergraduate placement as it’s also known. This is a full on, proper job, and boy was it! While I defiantly had my ups and downs at work, looking back now, I see how much it shaped me, and gave me so much confidence. I learnt such valuable skills that I never even knew I was missing. Honestly, anyone reading this who has the opportunity to do a placement- DO IT. It was the best decision I ever made. Of course, living in London was fantastic too, and I’m stroked to be going back permanently come September! 

But then final year of university came, and back to student reality. Finally year of university had been a crazy journey. It really does get harder, or not so much harder, just a lot more full on. More pressure, greater deadlines, its a very stressful time. However this year, I’ve really worked on the career girl within me. Honing my skills, while raining in the pranks of first year. This year has been the year I joined career worthy societies such as Enactus, which I wrote about earlier this year. I gave presentations in front of 100s of prospective students, completed my dissertation and I am so proud to say I won Placement Student of the Year.

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This year I feel like I’ve really achieved something worthy, really something to make myself proud. There were times when I would question my ability of course, times when I wondered what was I doing? But final year- so long as you put in the effort- can really open doors for you.

As I’m sat here typing this post, trying to put into words what my university journey means to me, I’m finding it difficult. There are so many different words and feelings I have, but one phrase that just sums it up completely is LIFE CHANGING.

Now without being all OTT about it, it really has changed my life and me as a person and that if something I’ll never forget. However I cannot wait to go forward and start a new chapter of my life.

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The It Girl part 2

My last post I wrote about my new summer find, the Mango at Asos It Girl top. I dressed it rather glamorously, with a ruffle skirt, and killer heels. However I also wanted to wear it dressed down for summer too. 

These trousers are perfect as they are bright for that happy feeling, loose for those hot days, and they are track pant style, so can be defiantly classed as casual.

I paired it simply with a chunky necklace that I doubled up to make a choker, and not forgetting shoes- heels of course, hints in the blog title. 

Top- Mango at ASOS

Pants- Zara (Similar here)

Heels- c/o Chinese Laundry at Get The Label

Necklace- Primark

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The It Girl

I’ve been searching for that perfect summer outfit for a while. Something feminine, delicate, and a little bit girlie. I spied this T-shirt on ASOS one night while I was revising (yes, clearly a productive moment) and instantly just loved the blatant ‘It Girl’ slogan.

I just presumed Id wear it quite casually with jeans, yet as I was about to pay, my mouse to wondered for one last browse as it often does with online shopping, which is when I spied this skirt. And how I fell in love.

I just loved the statement frill; it was so unlike anything I’d seen before. I watched the catwalk video and it moved incredibly, swishing down the runway.

And boy does it swish in real life. I just can’t help flicking it ever so often, doing my own little Marilyn Monroe impression. 

T-Shirt- Mango at Asos

Skirt- Asos

Heels- Kurt Geiger

Necklace worn as Bracelet- H&M

In the day I would wear it with delicate flats, but seeing as I was going out that night, I paired it with my bright red Kurt Geiger’s.

Summer always lifts any mood, and summer clothes just can’t help but put a smile on your face. Hopefully it will last, as I want plenty of swish swish swishing time!

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Sunshine and Cocktails

There is something all British people can understand. It’s that mad rush for any free space available the minute the sun decides to grace us with her presence. And yesterday was that day. On your marks get set GO!

So me and my friend Becky headed outside for a spot of lunch, in True British style- a picnic. Only naughtier, as there were cocktails at the picnic. 

My cute cool bag I won on Twitter from Borough Market a while back. 

I was sent these cocktails to try, having proclaimed my love for cocktails many a time. I love cocktails, but I have to admit they are a little bit non mobile, with all the mixing to do. So these from My Cocktail are ideal for those lazy summer picnics as they are ready mixed, and in re-sealable pouches.

The sun was glorious, and as we had been out the night before, I just fancied lying in the freshly cut grass all day. The cocktails might have been risky on this occasion, but call it hair of the dog! These are actually their frozen cocktails, so I just popped them in the freezer the night before ready for our little outing. Sadly by the time we got to our picnic spot they’d all but melted, however they were still delicious. Surprisingly not strong like I have got to admit I was expecting from a premixed cocktail. I actually forgot these were alcoholic as they were really light, and refreshing. You can check out the full range at MyCocktail.com

On the way we had passed a couple of farmers stalls selling freshly baked goods, so of course we had to pick up a couple of naughty bites, which I was drawn to this peanut butter brownie. I feel a recipe post coming on soon...

We sunbathed for what seemed like ages, until the sun dipped slightly behind some clouds, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to show Becky around a little, so we headed over to Williamson park to walk off our lunch. 

The main attraction of the park in Ashton Memorial, a folly built over a 100 years ago by a millionaire for his wife (probably would have been easier with flowers mind...).

We soon had to head back though as Becky wanted to beat the rush hour traffic. However, if you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know the story of how I may have put in the wrong postcode into the Sat Nav... What? It could have happened to anyone...

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