Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Hey Everyone

Over Christmas time I did have posts ready to be published for you all, but unfortunately I forgot to take into account the fact that there is no Wi-Fi or 3G or any form of Internet at my Grandmothers, where I spent Christmas this year.  Due to this, I basically took an accidental holiday from blogging.

I just wanted to apologise for the severe lack of posts and also wanted to wish every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.  I hope you all got what you wished for and hope you all had a lovely day.

Love Katie
Xox

Bad Blogger Katie

Hey everyone!

So you may or may not have noticed but recently I've been a bad blogger.  I've not been blogging as much as I would like but there is literally so much happening for me right now, especially with the run up to Christmas.  

I completely get that some people manage to balance their lives and blogging perfectly well but recently I've been finding it hard.  

I've been swamped by assessments and essays at college, been rushed off my feet and work and even my personal life has become somewhat draining.  Any free time I have had, I've been trying to unwind a little. 

I just wanted to let you all know that I promise I haven't forgotton about blogging, or given up on it. 

Blogging is something I love doing but right now I just don't have as much time as I would like to write posts.  After the new year, things should begin to settle again and I should be back on track.  If not, you can call me a bad blogger.

Speak to you all shortly (hopefully)

Katie 

Xox

Degustabox Review

Hey everyone! 

When I got an email a month or so ago from Degustabox asking if I would like to sample their box, I took a chance.  Yes food isn't my primary subject on this blog but like most people, I love good food. 

The box is much bigger than I thought and is filled with so much stuff!!

 

Included in the box is a card with all the products in the box as well as a few recipes on the back created for the products included. 

The first thing I noticed in my box was Drink Me Chai Spiced Latte.  I'm an avid tea drinker but this Chai Latte is really lovely for a change.  Perfect for winter, it's warm and soothing. 

Next thing I noticed was these two boxes of Belvita breakfast bars.  I'm a big cereal bar person and Belvita is one of my favourites so I was really happy to see this in the box.  The cocoa one is delicious. 

Next I came across these four sachets of Bisto Chef Special Gravys.  I love gravy and a roast dinner is not the same without it. I'm most excited to try the lamb gravy with mint! 

Also included in the box is Oxo Shake and Flavour in Garlic and Herb.  There's a lovely recipe for Garlic and Herb potato  wedges on the back featuring this product and boy do they look good. Definitely trying it out!!

Next was these 3 Bavaria drinks which wasn't really my kind of thing so I gave these to my dad.  I'm quite fussy when it comes to drinks but my dad liked them!

Also there was 2 Levi Roots products - one smokey jerky and the other a jerk chicken paste - I'm not a big fan of spicey foods but the rest of my family are so they are all really excited to try these out. 

Back to my favourites, these Yu Granola Clusters are soo yummy. There was 2 different flavours with 5 bags in each. The strawberry one is my favourite of the two. 

Next, these Bisto Stock Melts are actually the ones my mum uses, so she was more than happy when I gave them to her.  She uses them to make the most delicious homemade soup. 

 

And finally Degustabox included an additional surprise seeing is there first box launch in the UK - Green & Blacks organic spiced chilli chocolate.  Like I said already spicey foods aren't my favourite but I feel like I need to try this unique bar! 

Overall Degustabox is a lovely fresh change to the typical "boxes" out there. I thought it was nice to try one that wasn't primarily beauty based.  

Believe it or not this box retails at £9.99 which I think is incredible value for money! I mean I got 17 products!! 

And the lovely people at Degustabox have provided me with a discount code you can all use to get an additional £3 off your box!! 

If you want to get this box head over to the Degustabox website and remember to enter in my discount code - subtlecoral999. 

I hope you all enjoyed today's post and I shall speak to you all shortly. 

Katie

Xox

I'm a Beauty Blogger, Get Me Out of Here!!; Week Two

Hey everyone!

I was tagged again from my lovely friend Estelle to take part in week two of "I'm a Beauty Blogger, Get Me Out of Here". This tag has been created by the lovely girls at Next Route Style, so pop over and give them a visit because they truly have a great blog.  If you missed the first week you can catch it here.  Without any further ado, let's get into this weeks questions.

Questions

1) Firstly congratulations! You won last week’s bush tucker trial and your reward is a makeover from a professional make-up artist. What look would you choose and why?

A) Ooh that's a tough one.  I would probably request a pretty natural look if I'm honest.  Like a 'my face but better' type thing.  I would probably ask especially for some long lasting lip stain to give my lips a flush of colour, and to settle my lip product addiction. 

2) It’s time to wash – ok so it’s not in a luxury shower or a bath but you do get a choice of one soap/shower gel to use. What would you choose and why?

A) Lush's Twilight shower gel.  I know it's been discontinued but I'm hanging onto my 100ml bottle with hope.  It's such a calming lavender scent and would definitely calm any jungle jitters I had!  I love using this after a stressful day and I can only beg and hope Lush brings it back. 

3) Today is the arrival of a new camp mate, yay! You get to decide, it can be anyone this time. Who will you choose and why?

A) Taylor Lautner.  Hands down.  If I'm going to be stuck in the jungle for three weeks, I need a bit of eye candy to keep me strong.  Plus, he seems really funny and down to earth, I think he would be a pretty chill guy to hang out with. 

4) It can get a little boring in the jungle and you’re feeling sluggish. What one fitness exercise would you do?

A) I'm not actually sure whether you're allowed to or not, but I would love to go for a run through the jungle, as long as I could find my way back.  I think it would be fun to get away from camp for a bit and just explore.

5) How would you create your own jungle fashion style?

A) Thats hard considering there is a set outfit.  I would probably try and go all Vanessa Hudgens in Journey 2.  Whether it would work, who knows.

6) What is your favourite Australian product and why?

A) I know this is probably going to be most people's answers, but my Aussie Shampoo and Conditioner.  It's absolutely divine and it smells unbelievable. 

7) Good news, the camp has won the treasure chest hunt! In need of something sweet, each camp mate wins their own cupcake. What would yours be?

A) Chocolate.  I need my chocolate fix. 

8) Challenge – bush tucker trial number 2, ‘the jungle hair & beauty salon’. You’re sitting under a vintage hair dryer and instead of hot air being blasted out you are greeted by 10,000 creepy crawlies. Which creepy crawlies would you detest the most and which ones wouldn’t you mind?

A) Oh dear.  I think I would pull a Helen Flannagin on this one.  I would hate spiders or anything that could bite.  I wouldn't mind cockroaches as much but like Rochelle and Natasha said, I'd much rather a normal blow dry please!

I hope you all enjoyed this weeks tag! I tag all of you to give this a go for yourself!

Katie

Xox

Say Hello To My Little Friend

Hey everyone!

No I have not accumulated a pet of some sort, nor have I recently made friends with one of the 7 dwarfs.  This is simply an introduction to my new baby, my MacBook Air. 

 

Many of you probably already know that for months I have been stuck blogging on my iphone and while convenient, it's not ideal as a long term solution.  My old laptop broke and left me completely abandoned without any source of the interwebs other than my phone (and occasionally my sisters laptop). 

But now, all has changed.  I will be able to blog more, organise my layout, add captions, change my font, all the simple little things you take pleasure of when blogging with a laptop.  I couldn't be happier with my MacBook (well once I get the hang of scrolling) and I'm excited to start improving and editing my blog to look pretty again. 

Thank you all for bearing with me when mobile blogging was my only solution.  

Katie

Xox

My Top 3 Products To Give You Shiny, Healthy Hair

Hey Everyone!

Today I thought I would share my top hair products, along with some hair secrets you may or may not have heard of before.  I don't know about you guys but in the winter time, my hair always gets a little drier and a bit more damaged, largely due to the fact I can't leave my hair to dry natural as often because I will end up ill (silly Scottish weather).  Also with the party season, I always use heat tools a little more often than I probably should.  This post will contain amazing and beneficial products that you can use on your hair to keep it strong, healthy and shiny.

1. Yogurt

I know its a weird one.  Yogurt is for eating.  But surprisingly it can bring amazing benefits to your hair.  I know some of you have probably heard of this before but I know a lot of people haven't.  I normally use Yeo Valley because its all natural and is organic.  You can buy little pots individually for a relatively cheap price so its pretty affordable hair care.  What I tend to do, is to apply a generous amount to my hair while it's dry and tie it up and leave it to condition for around 30 minutes.  Then jump in the shower and follow my normal hair care routine.  When I come out my hair is always super healthy looking and feels so strong.  Also another tip, if you have any yogurt left, apply it as a face mask.  It will soothe, calm and hydrate the skin.

2. Moroccan Oil

Whether you use the original Moroccan Oil or a cheaper alternative, the benefits are pretty similar.  I love using Moroccan Oil purely because its so versatile.  You can a tiny amount for calming flyaways or soak your hair in it for a rejuvenating hair makeover.  I tend to use it in a similar way to the yogurt, when my hair is damaged or I feel it becoming weak, I apply a generous amount to the ends of my hair and let it soak for about 20 minutes and then wash my hair like normal.  I always feel a little odd using oil in my hair but maybe its just me. 

3. Moisturiser

This is the one that I discovered myself.  Yes it seems weird but hey, it works.  How did I find out moisturiser adds an incredible healthy shine and makes your hair unbelievably soft?  Well here's the story.  I had a Simple moisturiser that the lid had broken on.  I thought I was almost finished the bottle and without realising I got moisturiser all over my hands.  What did I do?  Touch my hair.  Before I knew it my hair was soaked in moisturiser and looked pretty greasy and incredibly odd.  I had to then go for a shower to wash it out.  Funny thing.  When I got out my hair was crazy shiny.  Not greasy shiny.  Like shiny in the hair adverts that must be photo-shopped because it seems so unachievable shiny.  I tested it a few times after that experience and it's yet to fail me.  You just have to make sure it's thoroughly washed out so no residue is left.  As long as you do that, trust me, your hair will be amazing.

I hope you enjoyed this post and let me know what weird hair tips you all have in the comments!

Katie 

Xox

Christmas Inspiration

Hey Everyone!

As it is the 25th November today, it makes Christmas exactly one month away.  Crazy isn't it.  I've been feeling very inspired by the festive season and I thought I would share with you all a few images I found particularly inspiring.

Isn't this Christmas wreath the cutest thing you've ever seen?  I reckon it would be pretty simple to DIY it as well! 

If your a little less glitzy than the first wreath, how about this cute Candy Cane substitute? 

If your hosting Christmas Dinner at your house this year, how about this gorgeous Candy Cane Flower centrepiece?  Simple and yet completely festive.

Santa Hat Brownie Bites.  Need I say more? 

Or if you are trying to be good this Christmas, how about going full on Strawberry Santa?

This one is ever so slightly out of my cooking abilities (only off by a good few miles) but if you are an avid baker, this is the cutest idea I've seen.  A mini gingerbread house for your hot chocolate.  Perfect for Christmas Eve. 

In my opinion, you can never beat the DIY Snow Globes as Festive Decor.  I just love this one and the jar is totally cute.  

This wrapping is super adorable and so simplistic.  I love it.

I hope you all enjoyed this little burst of Christmas Inspiration.  Not long left to go...

Katie

Xox

REVIEW; L'orèal Paris GlamShine Stain Splash

Hey everyone! 

Again I must apologise for my lack of blogging recently. I have been crazy busy with college work having 3 assessments for this week.  My hard work is clearly paying off as I got 100% in the two I have received feedback for, let's hope for 100% all round.  College is a priority but I have not forgotten about blogging. 

Today I have a review of a product I have a love/hate relationship with.  Loreal Splash Stains.  I was convinced I hated these things when I purchased one in the shade "Romy".  It was far too sticky for my likings and didn't really add much colour or shine to my lips.  However, I seen "Milady" in Superdrug and could not not swatch it.  

The deep purple shade completely lured me in.  I had been looking for a deep purple shade for a/w and this is just perfect.  The colour is so unique to anything I've ever had in my collection. 

The colour isn't very true on a hand swatch but over a natural lip colour it builds the colour better.  Again the formula is a little stickier than I would prefer but it's not as unbearable as I remember.  This stain definitely has a good 6 hours (potentially more) staying time.  It lasted my entire work shift (including eating, drinking and talking a little more than I should) and then some. 

Truth be told, I've fallen in love with this shade.  

I hope you all enjoyed today's review and I will speak to you all shortly. 

Katie

Xox

TAG: I'm a Beauty Blogger, Get Me Out of Here!!

Hi Everyone!

Firstly, so sorry I haven't posted in a few days.  I was actually working on a room tour but I had a few technical difficulties and lost everything.  I will get around to doing that very soon though so don't worry.  For the time being, I decided to participate in this new 'I'm A Beauty Blogger, Get Me Out of Here' tag which I was kindly tagged by Estelle from this lovely blog right here.  So without any further delay, let's get into the questions...

Questions

1) You can only take ONE product into the jungle (aka your luxury item). What would you choose and why?

A) Probably concealer.  My skin always likes to act up when I'm stressed out and I would probably be very stressed in a jungle.  Also it's pretty versatile and could be used to hide any dark circles that may appear after sleepless nights.

2) What would be your main pre-jungle worry?

A) BUGS.  Need I say more? 

3) You only have five minutes to get ready before going into the jungle, what would be your quick beauty routine?

A) CC Cream, Concealer, a little touch of blush and mascara.

4) Last year we saw Helen Flanagan wearing her hair in a top bun. What would be your signature hairstyle?

A) Probably a high ponytail.  Not awfully exciting but super easy and keeps my hair out of my way.  Plus I could always get some exotic flower to spruce up the look. 

5) For moral support, which female celebrity would you like to be in the jungle with you?

A) I personally would much prefer a guy with me in the jungle (I just would feel safer with a guy around, plus they could get rid of spiders).  But if I had to pick someone it would probably be Taylor Swift.  I love Taylor and she seems so sweet and lovely - just the kind of BFF you need in the jungle.  Plus I love her music so who needs an iPod when  T-Swift is with you??

6) Everyone’s given a role in the camp. What lifestyle skill would you bring to the jungle?

A) Oh god, who know's.  I have no clue.  I would probably be that person who tries to cheer everyone up and gives advice all the time.  I would bring my wisdom and Yoda quotes for supporting my fellow jungle-ers with tasks.  "Do or do not, there is no try". 

7) What one thing about being a beauty blogger sometimes makes you want to scream ‘Get Me Out Of Here’?

A) Not having enough time.  I have a pretty busy life as it is, so trying to squeeze in blogging can be a bit challenging sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

8) Challenge – This is a once in a life time opportunity. You’re up for a trial to face your fears or try something new, what would you choose to do and why?

A) I'm terrified of heights but I would much rather face that fear than do anything that involved bugs crawling on me, or god forbid, eating some of them!!

I really enjoyed doing this tag and I hope you all enjoyed reading it! Speak soon!

Katie

Xox

I TAG :

Freya

Kirstie

Val

Gemma

Winter Playlist 2013

Hey Everyone!

I'm mixing it up a little bit with today's post and focusing on music, particularly music I have been loving these past few weeks.  I thought it would be quite fun to give you all a look into my playlists because I really think what kind of music a person likes is a big reflection of their personality and I want you all to get to know me a little better.  I also want to get to know you all better so feel free to leave your music preferences in the comments.  (PS, I really do make the effort to reply to every single comment, even if it does take time).  Anyway let's get into my Winter Playlist for 2013.

The 1975

The 1975

I don't know why it took me so long to buy the 1975's album as I really love their music.  My favorites from this album include; Girls, Sex, Chocolate, Pressure, She Way Out, Talk and Heart Out.

Hey Marseilles

Hey Marseilles - Elgy

Elegy by Hey Marseilles is a song which I believe has been out for a while, but I recently discovered it and fell in love.  They have such a unique sound and I just love it.  It's such a calm and relaxing sound that helps me unwind.

Little Mix

Little Mix - Move

Move is my favorite song by Little Mix, it's so catchy and makes me want to get up and well, move. 

The Vamps

The Vamps - Can We Dance

Can We Dance is another catchy song that I've been loving.  This one is the first song on the CD I made for the car and I love listening to it driving off to work as it puts me in a good mood.

Lawson

Lawson - Juliet

Another one for the car, Juliet by Lawson is super catchy (she knows oh oh ee oh-oh she know oh oh ee oh-oh).  

Jessie J

Jessie J - Sexy Lady

This one for the ladies, is empowering.  Listening to it makes me feel 10x more confident that I will ever be in  my life.  It's like I have a little Jessie J sitting on my shoulder cheering me on. 

Vance Joy 

Vance Joy - Riptide

I love Riptide.  Its just a really good song.  Not much more to say than that.  A little more Indie but very very good.

That's pretty much it for my winter playlist,  I hope you may have found some new discoveries or seen your favorites.  I hope you liked today's post and leave me song suggestions in the comments below!!

Katie 

Xox

"High-End" Makeup Haul (MAC, NARS and Benefit)

Hey everyone!

Today I have a haul for you all with some little beauty splurges made throughout this past month.  I've probably spent more than I should have but then again I did get some bargins at blog sales ect. 

MAC

The first thing I got from MAC was something I have been eyeing up for an unbelievably long time - the ever so famous paint pot in Painterly.  I already own one paintpot (Groundwork) but I was looking for something a little more natural that I could use as a base or just sweep across my lid for everyday wear.  I already love this, it keeps eyeshadows where you put them and is a perfect natural shade. It also conceals any redness/veins around the eyes. 

Then I bought an eyeshadow in Naked Lunch.  Naked Lunch is a lovely peachy gold with shimmer.  It makes a really flattering lid colour and goes perfectly over the Painterly paint pot. 

As a complete lipstick junkie, it would be wrong to order from MAC without getting a lipstick and I just HAD to have one of their Divine Night lipsticks. Although it doesn't look like much in the arm swatch, Flair for Finery is the most gorgoues nude I've ever set my eyes on. I would even go as far as saying it's my favourite MAC lipstick, even as far as my favourite lipstick ever. I know it's currently sold out on the MAC site but it's still available from Debenhams so get it quick!!

 

Included in my MAC order I received two samples (Zoom Fast Black Lash and Prep and Prime Skin Base Visage).  I don't like the mascara at all but I love the prep and prime so much I'm for sure going to be buying a full bottle of it! 

Benefit

I repurchased Benefits They're Real mascara as well this month. I don't really have too much to say on this one other than I love it!  It lengthens and volumises my lashes perfectly. 

Then I purchased Benefits "Milk It" eyeshadow from a blog sale for £4.  It's a lovely pure white with shimmer - perfect for highlighting.  However I much prefer the older benefit eyeshadow formula (I think they're called velvet eyeshadows?) as this one really doesn't last very long. 

NARS

Then I bought this NARS lipstick from the same blog sale for £10.  This shade is Sexual Healing and is a peachy nude shimmer (very similar to Naked Lunch actually).  The formula is a little more drying than I would have expected from NARS but nothing an EOS lipbalm can't fix.  I just make sure I apply the lipbalm before applying the lipstick and problem solved. 

So that's everything I've been buying beauty wise! I hope you've all enjoyed today's post and I shall speak to you all shortly!

Katie

Xox