Hello Jennifer Helen

Beauty: A Mini NYX Haul

August 29, 2016

Since a huge NYX counter opened in Boots in Eldon Square, I’ve found myself creeping back there time and again. There is something about NYX that I really love. Not only is the make up cruelty free, but it is also really well priced and there are a load of innovative products on offer. If I’m looking for a high end dupe, or just to try something new, NYX is the brand I find myself turning to. I first discovered it when I was shopping in New York and someone had recommended I pick up one of their matte lip creams. I did (post here) and haven’t looked back since. I got a couple of bits recently just before the wedding and I’m loving them all. Check out what I picked up.

Battle of the Primers – High End Vs. High Street

August 22, 2016

Primer is only something I added to my make up wardrobe in the past 12 months. I can’t quite remember where I first heard about it, but now I can’t do without it. If I want my make up to stay in place all day, then I need a good base. As extensive as my skincare routine is, primer just makes my make up look even better. But there are tonnes out there, ranging in price from really rather expensive to really rather cheap. I picked two of my collection to put against each other in a battle to the death. High end – Too Faced Hangover Primer vs. high street – cult favourite Nivea Post Shave Balm. Which one came out on top?

Vegan Pizza at The Bohemian

August 18, 2016

Ever since I discovered I was lactose intolerant, pizza was one of the huge things I really missed. I was such a huge fan of Domino’s that they recognised my number when I called and texted me to say they missed me when I stopped ordering. That maybe says more about my diet than anything else, but trust me, pizza is a tough habit to break. So it is with great joy to my inner pizza addict that vegan restaurants are having a bit of a moment. Because that means dairy free cheese and LOTS of it. The latest to spring up in Newcastle is The Bohemian so I dragged Andrew along to try the launch of their pizza menu this weekend.

Beauty: Foundation Round Up

August 15, 2016

I’ve been having a bit of a love affair with foundation recently. It used to be one of those beauty products I never really got bothered about. I always bought the same one, same colour, because I knew it kind of made my skin look all right. I’m not entirely sure what shook me out of this foundation funk, but a few months ago I decided to shake it all up and try something new. I now have four foundations I play around with depending on what my skin needs, so I thought I’d share them with you on the blog.

Coffee Tasting at Laneway & Co

August 11, 2016

If you fancy a coffee in Newcastle, where do you turn? There are tonnes of Starbucks, Costas, Prets and other mainstream chains, which are great when you want something filling on the fly. But how close to real coffee do they actually taste? Let’s face it, a whole load of Starbees drinks are milk, sugar, cream and flavourings with a side of coffee. And sure, sometimes you need a sugar injection, but sometimes you also need a serious caffeine fix. I always associated a strong coffee with a bitter taste, at least until I tried the coffee at Laneway & Co on High Bridge Street. And let’s just say, not all coffees are created equal.

Beauty: Body Shop Shade Adjusting Drops

August 8, 2016

Have you ever found yourself catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and thinking “hmmm I look a bit orange today”? I HAVE. Due to sheer laziness I have recently bought a couple of foundations that are not *quite* the right shade. I admit it, I can’t always be bothered to take a sample pot to Boots and test a foundation in natural light before just buying it. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Given the money hoover (aka our wedding) is sucking the last breaths out of my bank balance, re-buying the foundations was just not an option. So, imagine my delight when I discovered The Body Shop’s Shade Adjusting Drops. Cue angels singing, a single beam of light shining on my head and doves fluttering from the very pages of my Google search. I had to have some.

Harissa Kitchen: A Taste of Something Different

August 3, 2016

Harissa Kitchen is Sandyford’s newest restaurant, occupying a prime spot on Starbeck Avenue. The restaurant is the brainchild of the talented Jamie Sadler, who is the Managing Director of Food Nation. Food Nation is a brilliant social enterprise that encourages people to make healthier food choices. So you just know that anything Harissa Kitchen serves is going to be freshly made, healthy and tasty. I got invited down to check it out and jumped at the chance.

Fashion: The Perfect Summer Maxi*

July 29, 2016

So this is it guys. Drum roll please. My first ever outfit post! When JD Williams asked me if I wanted to try out one of their summer dresses, I decided to push myself to the very edge of my comfort zone to try something new for the blog. I don’t feel especially comfortable in front of the camera but I think the best way to get over that is to face it head on. So I dragged Andrew into the back lane behind our house and shot a bunch of pics in the hope of getting a couple of good ones. Have a scroll down to see how you think I did…

Feel The Fear… And Do It Anyway

July 25, 2016

I am not the world’s most confident person, far from it. When I was at school, I was really shy and would blush every time someone spoke to me. I hated presentations because it would mean all eyes were on me and my mouth would go dry. As I’ve grown older, I’ve mastered the art of not blushing when people speak to me BUT I still don’t really enjoy making presentations or being thrust into the spotlight. I’d love to feel more confident. At work and at home. So I borrowed Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway from my work pal Andrea.

Summer Shoe Wishlist

July 12, 2016

It is July! Great British Summer Time. And actually, the weather hasn’t been all that bad! I wore a dress with my legs out for the first time in a long time yesterday. It felt weird, but it felt good. However, now I’ve relegated my Doc Martens to under the bed, waiting to come back out in autumn, I’ve been struggling to match my summer wardrobe up with some shoes. I find myself reverting to my trusty Converse every time. So I put together a little wishlist post with all the beautiful looking summer shoes I’m dying to get my hands on this year.