FEBRUARY FAVOURITES

February in the UK seemed to be going through some sort of an identity crisis - arbitrarily rotating between sunny blue skies and torrential downpour. 

This unsettling weather forecast was evidently behind my selection of favourites this month as whilst my footwear bravely shifted from winter boots to spring flats, I remained determined not to relinquish my morning porridge. 


FACIAL CARE SAMPLES

One of the best things about beauty shopping online, is being able to get more than you paid for. Online beauty stores such as Cult Beauty, Feel Unique and Birchbox are always ever so obliging with their samples, which are usually new releases or up and coming beauty brands. 

Two hefty beauty shops towards the end of January resulted in two facial samples - Caudalie Paris Radiance Serum and REN Radiance Renewal Mask. I applied the Caudalie sample before my everyday moisturiser and the REN sample served as pre bedtime mask and both products served a big thumbs up. The former transparent gel-like substance gave my skin a natural sheer, whilst the latter product provided a more longterm healthy glow. I will definitely be investing in both products once I've given my samples a final squeeze. 

(NEARLY THERE)SUMMER FLATS

Dry days in February are a rarity and should not be spent running around London cramping one's feet into the failsafe winter boot. Therefore, I took the first glimpses of 2015 sunshine as my cue to purchase these Topshop Leopard Print Espadrilles and Faith pointed flats (now sold out but similar here). 

MAGPIE ALERT - JEWELLERY OF CHOICE

I've been a fan of Monica Vinader since I started handling my own finances, much to the dismay of my bank manager. The newest edition to the Monica Vinader family is this classic Fiji friendship bracelet, already seen worn on many a blogger. I've been rocking this number with my Astrid & Miyu Rose Gold Triple Bewitched Ring and a simple gold ring by the charming Orelia.

TOO PRETTY TO EAT PORRIDGE

I do love a good porridge. When I say porridge, what I mean is stove cooked gluten free oats in almond milk, mashed banana with a sprinkling of seeds and berries. Scrumptious. 

I didn't think my porridge experience could get any better until my sister recently brought home a box of The Food Doctor multigrain and seed porridge from our local Tescos. This wholesome formula of british oats, barley,spelt and rye flakes together with a nutritious mix of seeds, not only tastes like a dream but contains no artificial preservatives, flavours, colourings, salt or sugar. (Wow, that was a mouthful.)

How do you like your porridge? 

THE COPYCAT DUFFLE BAG

No, your eyes do not deceive you, the pretty little leather number pictured below is indeed the splitting image of the sold out IT bag of the season(and last season), by Mansur Gavriel. How did I lay my hands on this little number, I hear you ask? 

No, this isn't the result of the continuous refreshing of a Mansur Gavriel search on Vestiaire Collective but a sneaky little purchase of Steve Madden's copycat BGemmaa Bucket Bag for less than a third of the price. I closed my eyes to any intellectual property related issues that my lawyer head was dying to investigate and let my shopaholic head take the lead. 

HEALTHY EATING FOR DUMMIES 

These recipes books below are all evidence of my two years till thirty FREAKOUT. One of my life goals is to gradually phase out gluten, refined sugar and dairy from my diet and with the help of these little friends, I seem to be on track. 

To motivate me further, I plan to dedicate several posts a month to healthy recipes in the hope that I might be able to convince a few of you to jump on the bandwagon.