Peanut Hottie Surprise Cupcakes

A month or so ago, the lovely people at Peanut Hottie asked me to make something yummy out of some goodies they sent me and film it! Who am I to resist a yummy peanut butter challenge??

They sent me some peanut hottie drink, original and chocolate, some peanuts, snickers, peanut m&m's, peanut butter and a mug!

I decided, as I love baking to make some cupcakes. I called them Peanut Hottie Surprise Cupcakes!

I used a simple cake mixture of sugar, flour, butter and eggs and added some peanut butter to the mixture as well as some of the chocolate peanut drink powder. And the surprise element of the cake was a hidden peanut m&m in the centre! 

Here are the finished articles!

If I were to make them again I think I would use a syringe and put melted jam in the middle- like a peanut butter and jelly cupcake! Mmmm I might just have to try that now! 

The link to my video can be seen on Peanut Hotties Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=655369024567891

Here is me at the start of the video ;)

I happen to love this drink and at only 83 calories a serving, you can afford to indulge!

Has anyone else tried Peanut Hottie? Have you made any wild concoctions?

Jx

Vita Coco Coconut Oil

I'm jumping on the bandwagon that is coconut oil. Celeb after celeb is gushing over it! 

I love coconuts the smell, taste, the memories, but I've never actually used it myself in it's raw oil state. So I bought some from Amazon. I decided to go for the Vita Coco range as I like their drinks and is a trusted brand.

Vita Coco say:

Vita Coco, the company who first brought us delicious tasting coconut water, now brings to our shores its own brand of 100% Organic Coconut Oil. Cold pressed from Organic coconuts, 100% raw and extra virgin, this new addition to the Vita Coco Family is the perfect cooking oil and goes a long way to rescuing dry skin and hair - that's why people swear by it!

My review today is using it as an intensive hair treatment. My hair is driving me mad at the moment. Really dry and knotty (refusing to cut it- I know I should to keep it in good condition, but I just can't, too scared) Anyway, I love an intensive conditioner so was excited to try this natural version. 

To start I warmed about 3 tablespoons of oil in the palms of my hands until it was in liquid form then applied to the mid-lengths and ends of my hair. Obviously, it feels very greasy and got worse the longer it was left on, but I didn't mind as I knew it was doing my hair good! 

It smells so good, (if you like coconuts that is) felt really nourished and healthy. 

I read somewhere that you are to leave it on for a minimum of 2 hours to overnight. So that's what I did. I left it on overnight and hoped for the best.

I gave my hair a good two shampoos and proceeded to blow dry as usual. Whilst I was combing through, I did have a "what have I done here moment" as it wasn't combing as easily, so I was a bit worried. Then I worried that my normally quite greasy hair would be extra greasy, but I was pleasantly surprised. The result was impressive. Super shiny, bouncy and nourished. 

I think this will become part of my regular haircare routine, maybe once a week or every 10 days. I suspect it would be lovely on the hair when you are on holiday, relaxing in the sun.

I love coconut oil! Now to try oil pulling! And in cooking. Apparently it's nice on toast instead of butter - who knew!

Who else has tried coconut oil? And what have you done with it?

Jx

Beach Blonde Brought Back

I can't even begin to tell you the EXCITEMENT I have that the lovely John Frieda have re-released the Beach Blonde range after it was discontinued around a decade ago. I'd written to them advising them of my distress but to no avail.

So, when I was shopping the other week, I see it there, on the shelves, looking all pretty and sparkly and waving at me, I couldn't believe my eyes!

It's is honestly, the best holiday shampoo and conditioner I've ever used, nothing else has come close. It's minty fresh scent reminds me of holidays and sunshine and happiness. It gently cleanses hair of chlorine, salt and sunscreen. The conditioner softens and smoothes hair without weighing it down. I just love it! 

John Fried says:

NEW!BEACH BLONDECOOL DIP PURIFYING SHAMPOO

• Cleanse your hair of daily dirt and product build-up with this purifying shampoo which leaves hair feeling silky soft and lightly textured, for an effortlessly tousled beach style.
• Infused with spearmint and notes of citrus for a fresh fragrance that evokes nostalgic memories of summer vacations at the beach, while the cooling complex leaves an invigorating and refreshing sensation.
• Suitable for all hair types and shades, including colour-treated hair.

NEW!BEACH BLONDESMOOTH SEAS DETANGLING CONDITIONER

• Prep your hair for an effortlessly tousled beach style while softening, for a silky-smooth finish.
• Expertly formulated with Kukui Nut Oil, which is rich in Omega 3, this lightweight conditioner gently detangles and nourishes dry and damaged hair without leaving it feeling weighed down or limp.
• Infused with spearmint and notes of citrus for a fresh fragrance that evokes nostalgic memories of summer vacations at the beach, while the cooling complex leaves an invigorating and refreshing sensation.
• Suitable for all hair types and shades, including colour-treated hair.

You can purchase from most supermarkets, but I found mine from Sainsburys, priced at around £5.99 each for 250ml.

Well done John Frieda, I'm sure you've made a lot of women very happy.

Does anyone else share my happiness?

Jx

Sunday snuggles

To be perfectly honest, this probably doesn't warrant a post to itself, but my youngest fur baby had been super affectionate this morning! We had some lovely cuddles. This is what Sundays are about! 

We've had Molly Moo just over a year now, and I've invested so much time and love into making her as lovely as she is. I couldn't imagine how much joy she would bring me.

Molly is a silver marbled Bengal, and absolutely bonkers! She is the second bengal I've had (my mum has one) and they are a particularly lively cat, not one for someone who hasn't had experience in keeping cats, as they are not normal! 

Molly is crackers! She's talks, jumps on the tops of doors, rushes around like a nutter, I've honestly never known a cat like her! But couldn't be without her now.

Has anyone else got a Bengal? What are they like?

Jx

Oh so lovely

I'm a little bit obsessed with flamingos, and anyone that knows me will confirm this, I loved them before they became "fashionable" but I'm so glad they did. What's not to love about them? They're pink and sleep on one leg! Cute! They can grown up to 5 ft in height and weigh only 8 lbs! They are the ultimate supermodel bird! 

I got an amazing cushion yesterday which sparked this post, my husband is yet to see it (he's away camping - madness) so I'm hoping he approves! 

A steal from ASDA! 

I loved it as sometimes, a lot of novelty items have cartoon flamingos or they haven't done the face properly, but this little beauty is just perfect! I love him!

Not long ago I got a lovely gift in the post from my friend Kate, love post presents! 

Has anyone else seen anything cute that's flamingo related recently? I'd love to know! 

Jx

Nuxe Samples

The lovely people at lookfantastic sent me a few face cream samples to try from the Nuxe Merveillance range. I got the day cream, eye cream and the night cream. 

The creams are very rich and although a lovely scent, it's not the famous Nuxe fragrance that I adore. 

I tried the regenerating night cream last night and I manged to squeeze a bit out for tonight as when I woke this morning my skin felt so soft and smooth. Whether that was a combination of use with the Eve Lom cleanser I got in my lfbeautybox I'm not sure, but I loved it. My skin felt nourished and pampered when I applied it. 

It's hard to judge on an eye cream, well any cream after just one application. I couldn't tell you if it does what it claims to do just what it's like you apply. 

The lifting eye cream is of decent texture and not too thin and watery like some. Felt light to apply and didn't sting around the delicate eye area. 

Finally I was given a sample of the rich correcting day cream. Similar texture to that of the night cream just not as rich. Absorbed well into my skin for a good base for my make up. Very smooth and velvety. 

All of these can be purchased through lookfantastic 

http://m.lookfantastic.com/elysium.search?autocomplete=searchsuggestion&search=nuxe%20merveillance

Prices range between £29-£39

I'd love to know if anyone has tried a whole jar of one of these products.

Let me know...

Jx

Nuxe Crème Fraiche Masque

This Crème Fraiche Mask by French brand Nuxe is pure pampering perfection!

 

I received a 50ml size mask in my Glossy Box this month and was absolutely delighted! I couldn't wait for a relaxing bath to try it out!

The texture is quite light, non oily and goes on almost translucent so not at all heavy on the delicate skin of the face, this product is paraben free (no nasties) but still comes with that devine Nuxe signature scent. 

I can honestly say that it made my skin feel nourished and and soft, perfect base for make up on a night out where you don't want too much moisturiser. I will definitely be purchasing this!

Pure Saturday Perfection! 

You can buy from Lookfantastic here for £12.99 with free delivery:

http://m.lookfantastic.com/nuxe-creme-fraiche-mask-50ml/10668014.html

Has anyone else tried this beautiful face mask? 

Jx