May Degustabox Review + £6 off Discount Code

Hi beaut's...

I have a subscription box review for you all today but it's a subscription box with a difference.... it contains yummy food and drink, so say hello to Degustabox*. Degustabox works very much like how beauty subscription boxes work, for £12.99 a month (postage included within the £12.99 price) you will receive 9 to 14 surprise food/drink products, many that are completely new to the market! So if your a bit of a foodie like myself  and you love subscription boxes your going to love this beaut's! I have to say that over the last few months the contents of each box really has been amazing, I literally cant wait to tuck in!
Mrs Crumble's Classic Madeline Cakes
Firstly this month is a packet of Mrs Crumble's Classic Madeline Cakes, these where soooo yummy! They were basically a plain vanilla sponge cake that are individually wrapped and gluten free. They actaully tasted just like Madeira cake to me, yum!

Brioche  Pasquier Croissants £1.80
I've always loved Brioche Pasquier's pastries, they are just so sweet and yummy, and these butter croissants where an absolute favourite of mine in this months box, so delicious!

Kallo Milk Chocolate Corn Cakes £1.29 and Kallo Yogurt Coated Rice Cakes £1.69
I'm a huge fan of the Kallo rice cakes so I was happy to see some yogurt topped ones in this months box, they are just such a nice snack to have between meals that isn't too naughty for you. We also received the Kallo Corn Cakes covered in milk chocolate, I've never tried these one before but they sound so nice and I cant wait to tuck into them.

Get Fruity Bar £1.00
Next up is a Get Fruity Bar in Scrumptious Strawberry, this is an award winning fruit and oat bar which is gluten free with no added refined sugar, its even part of your five a day he he. My boyfriend actually tucked into this straight away and loved it!

Pechkeks Fortune Cookies x2 £1.00
How fun and quirky are these misfortune cookies, they have the same taste as normal fortune cookies but instead of a positive fortune inside theres a crude, truthful and direct message, I think these are great to open with a group of friends as you can all have a laugh and a joke about whats inside!

The Wonderful Company Almonds and Pistachios 90p each
Next up is a bag of Pistachios and Almonds from The Wonderful Company, I don't actually like nuts at all so my boyfriend polishes these off he he!

Garofalo Fusilli £1.99
We eat so much pasta in our house so this Garofalo Fusilli didn't last long, it's been perfect for when I've cooked a spaghetti bolognese or my pasta in sauce dishes, and I really like the corkscrew shape, slightly different to the average fusilli hey!

Jack Danial's Tennessee Honey Barbecue Glaze £1.99
I was so exited when I saw this Jack Danial's Tennessee Honey Barbecue Glaze in my box, it can be used as a glaze on meats or as a dipping sauce but I must admit it tasted horrible, it's totally different to any BBQ sauces that I've tried before and it definitely has a hint of Jack Danial's in it! Great for Jack Danial's and BBQ Sauce lovers but not for me unfortunately!

Beloved Dates Date Nectar £3.50
Then we have something slightly different, the Beloved Date Nectar. This is gluten, wheat and dairy free and is made from 100% pure dates! It can be used on top of porridge, pancakes, waffles and is a great alternative to sugar when baking! I cant wait to experiment more with this!

Pomegreat Juice Drink £1.49
The first drink item inside my box this month is a carton of Pomegreat Juice, I didn't think I would like this but me and my boyfriend loved it and drank the whole carton in like two days, it's so refreshing and would be great in a jug of ice for a BBQ or picnic during the summer.

Cranes x2 £1.90
Then lastly this month we have  two bottles of the Cranes 4% Alcoholic Drinks in Cranberry and Strawberry and Kiwi, these again sound so refreshing an would be great for summer BBQ's.

Overall I love everything in my Degustabox this month, all in all I think it's such a great take on a subscription box, I love the whole element of a food surprise and getting excited about what meals I can whip together, it's fab! You can find Degustabox on Twitter and Facebook for more information, pictures and promotions. 

Degustabox have kindly given me a discount code for all of my beautiful readers, all you have to do is pop BLDEG15 into the promotional code box and you'll receive a whopping £6.00 discount when registering. And don't worry beaut's, theres no commitments with Degustabox meaning you can cancel your subscription free of charge before the 10th of any month, but I mean why would you cancel monthly surprise treats ha ha!

What do you think of the Degustabox concept beaut's?? I'd love to know your thoughts.

nopin

May Non Beauty Favourites ♥

Hey beaut's!

You may remember that last year I added a new little monthly feature to my blog in the shape of non beauty favourites, and silly me I didn't keep up with it, so I thought it was about time I got back on the non beauty favourites waggon he he.

The Walking Dead
I think my absolute favourite this month has to be The Walking Dead! After the shocking cliff hanger at the end of season 6 I had no idea how to cope without any Walking Dead in my life until October, so I thought I would re watch all of the seasons in the hope that they would tide me over until the new season starts however... A month late and I have finished the entire six seasons again, theres literally something about The Walking Dead that just has me hooked, it's definitely my favourite TV show for sure, roll on October for season 7!
Skinny Dip Beetle Phone Case
 My second non beauty favourite this month has to be my new phone case from Skinny Dip! It's a holographic case that turns into so many different metallic colours when you move it and the light catches it, it goes blue, purple, rose gold, green, pink you name it, it's so pretty and I'm obsessed with it at the moment!
Snapchat
I was slightly late on the Snapchat bandwagon but now I'm rather addicted, I honestly cant tell you why but I am just obsessed and have been using it a lot during  May! If you fancy giving me a follow my user name is just haysparkle, I post lifestyle pictures and the occasional video not to mention the thousands of beauty related pictures, let me know if you give me a follow beaut's!
H&M Heart Shaped Sunglasses
Can we take a moment to appciate how gorgeous these sunglasses are.... I wanted a pair of heart shaped sunglasses so badly last year but couldn't find a pair a truly liked until this year when I spotted H&M had some in their Coachella festival range so I bought them immediately! I love these so much and have been wearing them at every opportunity I can he he!
Pinterest
I feel like I've finally found my feet on Pinterest, I absolutely love it and I've become rather addicted over the last few months. I could literally spend hours looking through and pining all the gorgeous pictures of different varieties, I especially love the baking and cooking ones at the moment. If your on Pinterest do let me know, you could also give me a cheeky follow HERE if you like. 
The Big Bang Theory
Since finishing The Walking Dead I've been watching The Big Bang Theory from the beginning and oh my goodness it doesn't matter how many times I've watched an episode it just has me in absolute stitches! Sheldon literally makes the show for me, hes so funny and cracks me up constantly, honestly beaut's if you haven't watched this show before your seriously missing out!
Grazebox 
I started getting Grazebox in April and Ive been absolutely loving it, it's only £3.89 every fortnight and is always full with yummy treats and snacks that I cant wait to dive into! My favourite snacks from Grazebox so far are definitely The Graze Brownie, Honeycomb Flapjack and the Pretzels with Chocolate Dip, oh my goodness they are incredible! If you'd like to get yourself a FREE box then just use my code 17RPPZHPB, theres no commitments and if you decide you don't like the box after your first free one then you can cancel your subscription at any time, however if you do stay subscribed then my code will also give you your 5th and 10th box FREE too, pretty amazing right! 

What have you been loving non beauty wise throughout May beaut's?? I'd love to know!!


nopin

Baking | Chocolate Chip Rolo Blondies

Hey beaut's!

If theres one thing I love to do in the kitchen it's bake, so when I saw an amazing Blondies recipe on Pinterest I just had to recreate them and share them with your all today! I did actually tweak the recipe a bit to suit what I had in the cupboard and my baking tray size ect but they turned out incredible!
What You Will Need
*Makes 15 Blondies*
2 sticks of butter (226 grams)
2 cups of light brown sugar
2 cups of plain flour
Half teaspoon of salt
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons of vanilla
100g of milk chocolate chips
2-3 packets of Rolo's
 Oven Tray 31Cm X 21Cm

How To
1. Firstly pre heat your oven to gas mark 4 and line your oven tray with greaseproof paper.
2. Then in a large mixing bowl, completely melt your butter in the microwave, do this in the 30 second bursts as you don't want to burn or boil your butter, then set aside to cool.
3. After a few minutes your butter should be cool which means it's safe to add your 2 large eggs, vanilla and brown sugar, whizz these together until smooth.
4. Once all of your wet ingredients and the brown sugar are well combined pop in your salt and flour and mix again until your flour is just combined, don't over mix.
5. Fold in your chocolate chips, I actually kept a few aside to sprinkle on top of the mixture before it went into the oven too.
6. Once your chocolate chips are distributed well through out the mixture pop around 60% of your batter in your lined oven tray and spread evenly, then it's time for the yummy Rolos!
7. Evenly place the Rolos on top of your batter that you already spread out in your oven tray so that each Rolo is sitting on it's 'base' rather than laying on its side. I made 5 rows with 4 Rolos going down each row but you can literally pop in as many or as little as you like.  
8. Pop the remaining batter into your tray on top of the Rolos and spread evenly so that the Rolos are covered and sprinkle on the remaining chocolate chips.
9. Bake for around 23-30 mins, or until the top of the Blondies are lightly browned and set. Be carful not to over bake your Blondies as they are like cookies that set and harden whilst they cool.
And there you have it, very easy yet extremely scrumptious Chocolate Chip Rolo Blondies. I actually found these so simple and fun to make and they turned out perfectly considering it was my very first attempt! The texture is slightly cakey, moist, so gooey and sweet where the rolo's have melted somewhat, arhhhh they are incredible!

Do let me know if you give these yummy Blondies a whirl beaut's, I'd love to know!

nopin

Festival Vibes!

Hey beaut's!

Festival season is fast approaching so today I thought I'd do a post featuring festival fashion and beauty must haves. Firstly the outfit.... I think it's a given that if your off to a festival then you have to rock some distressed denim shorts, I mean they just look super cute and are so easy to team up with pretty much anything aren't they. Something else that I think is essential at festivals are a pair of wellies, half the time in the UK it pours with rain and when your in a field with thousands of people things are going to get muddy so wellies are a must. Accessories wise I've gone for a super cute frindged bag and floral crown, they just add such a boho feel and I love them, I also had to include a pair of gorgeous heart shaped sunnies, I actually bought these exact ones from H&M and have fallen in love with them! Beauty wise.... Firstly dry shampoo is as you wont be able to wash you hair for a few days, plus it will help you keep some sort of style going on with it adding volume and texture to your hair. Face wipes and antibacterial hand gel are great to keep things fresh and clean whilst your at your festival, the face wipes come in so handy as you can use them to not only take off any makeup that you may have applied but they will be great at replacing your usual cleanser for a few days and you can use them to quickly wipe over your body if you wanted to spruce yourself up a bit. Lastly as you'll be exposed to the sun all day a one day long suncream is the best way to go, theres no way I'd want to carry a sun cream around with me all day, and lets face it when your having an amazing time watching your favourite bands the last thing on your mind is putting sun cream on, so the fact that you can get one that will keep your protected all day long is amazing. 
Festival Vibes

SnuffleMats Review!

Hey beaut's!

It's been such a long time since I featured my cute pooch Alfie on my blog so when I saw that the lovely people over at SnuffleMats* where asking on Twitter for doggy reviewers I jumped at the chance because I knew that this would be ideal for Alfie to play with!
SnuffleMats where created on the basis that Dogs love to sniff and forage for their food. So they have combined this natural instinct to create a product that encourages safe mental stimulation and boredom busting in a fun way! 
The SnuffleMats are available in two sizes, theres a Small (16" x 8") which retails for £20.00 plus £4.50 p&p within the UK which is the one Alfie has, and theres a Large (16" x 16") which is £25.00 plus £6 p&p within the UK! The mats&nbsp are made up of a robust rubber base which has small holes in to hide the treats and a thick yet soft knotted fleece material and I have to say the quality is amazing, Alfie has definitely put his SnuffleMat through it's paces whether its been when he's looking for his treats, playing with in it general because believe it or not he loves to pick it up and shake it like mad, he drags it around the house with him and he's even fallen asleep with his head leaning on it on a few occasions and it hasn't torn, shed and broken at all, in fact it still looks like new!
The guys over at SnuffleMat don't recommend leaving your pooch alone with their mats as they are not indestructible, however I've been shoving treats in Alfie's mat when I go to work to give him something to do when he's alone and he's been fine with it and not tried to destroy it all however this could be a problem with puppies or dogs that like to chew up their toys.
Overall im super impressed with the SuffleMat and I know Alfie is too, they quality is amazing and the mats come in so handy for training purposes too, they are ideal for dogs of all ages and come in so many snazzy patterns and shades hehe!

You can find the SnuffleMats HERE on the SnuffleMats website! Orders can be placed by either sending an email to info@snufflemats.co.uk or by visiting their Facebook page
and sending them a message with your requirements!

nopin

MAC Strobe Cream Review

Hey beaut's!

Strobing seems to be huge at the moment and I'm actually really getting into the trend, if your not sure what strobing is its basically all about getting that perfect glow and enhancing your features by using only a highlighter and natural light, so it's the total opposite to contouring! I happen to love being all glowy, dewy and highlighted so this trend was immediately right up my street! I have been testing out some drugstore options over the last couple of months and actually really liked them, but I was still lusting after the ever so popular MAC Strobe Cream, and when I saw they had a 30ml travel size version available on their website for just £10.00 I had to try it!

The MAC Strobe Cream is actually a moisturiser that not only hydrates the skin but it also boosts the look of dull skin and luminizes with iridescent particles. You can wear the strobe cream either under your foundation as a glowy base, mixed together with your foundation to create a dewy foundation look or you can use it sparingly on top of your foundation as a cream highlighter. Personally my favourite way to use this Strobe Cream is by using it all over my face underneath my foundation because I love that glow from within look and that's exactly what you get from this, but during the Summer months I'll definitely be mixing a pea sized amount into my foundation for a lighter, fresher look!

The formula of Mac's Strobe Cream actually comes out as a white cream at first but then melts into the skin transforming into an pinkish pearlescent sheen once it's blended in. The finish is demi-matte so it works amazingly as a base for your makeup to sit on top of and seems to really smooth and hydrate my skin as well as looking super radiant and dewy.
 Overall I must admit Mac's Strobe Cream does trump the high street strobe creams that I've tried, it just feels and looks so much more natural than the others and the hydrating qualities work amazing on my dryer patches of skin. It doesn't highlight pores or blemishes either which is a major bonus and it doesn't look greasy either, just radiant, healthy and glowing! Arhhhh I love this so much!

You can find the Mac Strobe Cream 30ml Travel Size for £10.00 HERE!

Have you tried Mac's Strobe Cream beaut's? What did you think? I'd love to know! 

nopin

48 Eyeshadows for £15 | Freedom Black Arts Pro Artist Pad

Hey beaut's!

I love a good ole neutral eyeshadow palette and when I saw Freedom's Black Arts Pro Artist Pad in the goody bag that I got from Makeup Revolution's 2nd Birthday bash I instantly fell in love, I just had to review it for you all today so that you could all enjoy its gorgeousness as much as I do!
The Freedom Black Arts Pro Artist Pad comes packaged just like an iPad, it honestly looks like you have an iPad sat inside a leather effect case but instead when you open the case it's eye shadows inside and not an iPad he he. Personally I love the packaging, it's quite sturdy and so different and contains a decent size mirror which is always appreciated! 
Within the palette are 48 (yes I did just say 48) gorgeous neutral eyeshadows in a mix of matte, satin, metallic and shimmery finishes, trust me this palette will have you oohing and arrhhing when you open it for the very first time as that's exactly what I was doing he he. The shades range from light to dark with mostly warmer tones making up the palette with a few cooler shades thrown in for good measure too, theres literally every neutral shade you could ever need or wish for within this palette, it's so pretty!

The quality of each eyeshadow within the Freedom Black Arts Pro Artist Pad is so good and left me so impressed, they are packed full of pigmentation, all buttery soft to swatch, easy to work with and blend out a treat and they last great on my oily eyelids without any creasing or fading for most of the day which is a major bonus for me.

Overall I've been absolutely loving this palette and really cant knock it at all, it's perfect for any makeup beginners or for anyone looking to grow their collection like myself, and can you believe it's only £15.00, yup that's right, £15.00 for 48 eyeshadows, what a beauty bargain!  

nopin

Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care Review

Hey beaut's!

You may already know that I'm a huge Vichy Skincare fan, I've tried quite a few things from the brand now and have always been so impressed and my skin has seriously thanked me for it, so when I saw that they had released a Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care Moisturiser in their Normaderm collection I couldn't wait to give it a whirl!

The Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care* is a powerful anti-blemish moisturiser, which claims to combat signs of imperfection-prone skin even on your monthly cycle, and also helps your skin to look radiant, hydrated and beautiful. This literally ticked all the boxes for by its description but.... the proof is in the pudding and I couldn't wait to slap some of my face.
The formula of the Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care moisturiser is lovely, it's light mint in colour and has a light fresh scent to it, nothing over perfumed though. The texture of the moisturiser when you pump it out is light and creamy, it applies easy and is quickly absorbed within a minute or so. When the moisturiser has absorbed it actually feels like velvet, kind of like what you would get from a primer and works amazingly as a base for your foundation because as well as hydrating my skin it does an fabulous job at evening out my pores, I can hardly notice them after using this it's like they are blurred out. I've also noticed that my skin looks brighter and more awake and overtime I've definitely noticed that the odd dark blemish I've had has lightened in colour and is on it's way out which is amazing! In terms of tackling breaks outs I cant really say if the Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care is a hit or not, I'm actually quite lucky in that department and don't suffer with any break outs and I only ever get the odd spot here and there which usually disappears by itself after a few days but seeing how amazing this product has worked reducing my blemishes, pores and blackheads I'm pretty sure this would give spots the boot too!
Overall I absolutely love the Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care Moisturiser, it does everything I look for in a moisturiser and then some! I would recommend this little beauty for all skin types even though the Normaderm range is targeted more towards oily, acne/blemish prone skin, I have combination skin with dryer patches and I've had no problems what so ever, my skins always perfectly hydrated, fresh looking, smooth, never greasy and just all round great, I'd even repurchase this which really is saying something hehe!

You can find the Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care Moisturiser in Boots HERE along with the rest of the Normaderm range, it's also on a 3 for 2 offer that Boots have too! Woohoo!

Have you tried the Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care Moisturiser beaut's? What did you think? I'd love to know!

nopin

May Beauty Wishlist

Hey beaut's!

It's wish list time again.... I know, I know, my wish list seems to be never ending doesn't it, but I seriously cant help myself he he! Firstly theres been loads of new releases by Barry M that have caught my eye, their Lolly Gloss Nail Paints look so cute and fun and I also need their Superdrug Exclusive nail paint in my life too. As well as nail polishes Barry M have also released two lip oils that I'm rather intrigued about and their Strobe Cream's in stick form look gorgeous too, arhhh Barry M your spoiling us! Tarte is another brand I'm so eager to try, their new Rainforest of the Sea Foundation and Tartelette In Bloom Eyeshadow Palette are right at the top of my wish list I just wish they where easier to get hold of in the UK! Benefit have also got some very exciting things happening in June with the launch of a 13 product eye brow collection so obviously a couple of their new products have fallen straight onto my wish list. I've also fallen head over heels in love with the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, their formula is absolutely lovely so I'm definitely after a couple more shades to add to my collection!
May Beauty Wishlist