Recipe - Chocolate and banana brownies

Hi Guys!

I had some super duper over ripe bananas hanging around so decided to make chocolate and banana brownies. I used a brownie mix, but you could do this from scratch if you wanted. I'm a bad cook and I don't really like banana's but this was so easy and a great way to use up food that I would have just chucked in the bin. And even though this is by no way healthy it made me feel good to think I was getting some fruit into me. Does this count as one of my five a day? Do I care?

What I did:

Pre heated my oven according to the packet instructions

Greased a cake tin

Put my bananas in a bowl and mashed them. Truth be told they were so so ripe they came out the skin already mashed lol

I then dumped my dry brownie mix on top and gave it a good mix with a wooden spoon. As you can see from the picture, the mashed banana acts as a substitute for any water/oil you usually add. Cos I'm a greedy cow I did add vegetable oil anyway, but instead of 4 tablespoons I just added 1 1/2 to make it extra moist and glossy.

I then poured the gooey mix into the cake tray and popped it into the oven.

Once the time was done I took it out the oven and let it cool for about 20 seconds and then I ate it.

THE END. ENJOY!

Pull and bear bag

(Sorry for the toilet pic!)

Hi Guys!

Just a quick post sharing my new handbag with you. My sweet daddy got me this bag to help carry my junk to and from my new job :)

It's a great size - not too big - but big enough to put all my usual stuff in it and include my lunch box :)

The handle is a good length for my chunky arm; I can easily fit my arm through the handle with my thick winter coat on. Likewise, the strap is a great length. If I wanted, I could have it hanging at my hip.

If you fancy one for yourself you can find it here:
 http://www.pullandbear.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category/pullandbeargb/en/pullandbear/29027/BAGS%2BAND%2BBACKPACKS?t=1#/3671866/BASIC%20BOWLING%20BAG

Hope March has been a great month for you. Cannot believe how fast this year is flying by!

Beyonce Heat perfume

Oh oh oh Beyonce.

I have wanted to own Beyonce's Heat for a long time. And then my mum bought this for me some time last autumn to give to me for my bday/xmas but then she misplaced it. But finally she stumbled across it and I got my hands on it. Woo hoo? No. Boo hoo.

I'ts all right but it's not wow. I thought it would be warm and sexy, a bit sweet and spicy. And it probably is for about 2 minutes and then it's gone.

I've got the 100ml bottle and I've been using it for maybe 2 weeks and I'm already half way through. With my lack of smell I need something strong and long lasting. Maybe this has a better scent for someone with a normal nose but  I'm just going to use it up as quickly as possible and never get this again.

Review - Emu Oil Well moisturising eye cream

Hi guys,

As you know, I'm always on the search for a good eye cream. I've been using this Emu Oil Well Moisturising Eye Cream for a few months now and.....I don't know. It is good but it isn't amazing. I would repurchase due to lack of other options, but that's not exactly a shining recommendation is it? I got mine off feelunique.com and its rrp £8.05 (I got mine using a discount code - can't remember what I paid but it was around £6-7)

It comes in a tub, which some people might not like. The eye cream is nice and...moisturising! When I put this under my eyes and on my eye lids my skin feels instantly moisturised. It left my eye area nice and soft, and not tight.

This got really good reviews online but I don't generally have dark circles or puffy eyes so I can't comment. But I have used eye creams that do absolutely nothing so I know that this works to some effect. And for the price it is really good. I am a fan of high end eye creams but to be honest this is just as good as the £30 eye creams. I think that the reason why I can't declare my love for this is because I hold in my heart a desire to start an affair with the La Prairie eye cream, but at over £100 for a smaller tub that is not going to happen is it?  Sad face. But happy face for my Emu :)

Review - Loreal volume million lashes excess (waterproof)

Hi Guys!

A while ago I had a mascara clear out and have been on the look out for something to test out. I had a Superdrug's giftcard and ended up making use of a buy one get one half price offer (I got a Loreal foundation as well). Both the mascara and foundation retails at £10.99 each, so I ended up paying £15 for both, which is great.

So we're here today to talk about the Loreal Volume Million Lashes Excess. I got mine in black waterproof. Let me just say straight away, the photos do it no justice. I love this mascara. 

*The brush/wand? is the perfect size for my little monolids. It isn't so thick that I end up painting my whole eye lid with mascara, but it's thick enough to make applying easy and fast.

*The formula isn't too wet, nor is it too dry. Some people love a wet mascara but for my monolid this often equals a mess.

*WATERPROOF - I wore this on my last day at work. Unsurprisingly I cried a lot. And I was hugging a lot of people so I was in a really wet and hot situation (hhhhmmm, my last day wasn't that exciting lol) and at the end of it my eye make up was.....unmoved. My hair was wet, my top was a bit damp, I had cried off all my foundation but my mascara (and kudos eye shadow) hadn't budged and I had no streaks down my face. And it wasn't just me who noticed this - I actually had several people ask what mascara I was wearing because they were shocked at the lack of panda eye action.

*This mascara is supposed to give you volume, as the name would suggest! In the picture it doesn't look like a lot of volume but I would say it does give me a nice look.

*At the end of the day, I'm not working with a lot here. My lashes are thin and short. I doubt any mascara, especially at a drug store price is going to give me amazingly long and thick lashes. I would recommend this mascara. I would repurchase this....but I do like to try out other brands so I think I will have a play with the other Loreal mascaras to see if I can find something even better.

Short trench coat, short hair

Hi Guys.

I think I've become addicted to Zara. Blame my parents, they love Zara. Ok, two coats doesn't make an addiction - but I can see this situation spiralling out of control.

So as well as my gorgeous wrap around wool coat I've also picked up this short beige trench cat? jacket? mac? in the Zara sale. Full rrp was £69.99, and I got it for £39.99. I don't think this is a bargain even reduced, but it was just too cute to pass by. I just imagine myself skipping to work and dancing on the tube station platform in this light jacket with some really cute shoes on......mmmmmmmmmmmmm 

Here's some action shots of my new short hair (to bulk up the post in all honesty).

This is me and my cool hair drinking costa coffee. A caramel latte. Long hair Penny never got to drink Costa. 

Short hair me getting some kissing action. My hair makes me feel so light and carefree. Peace and love man, peace and love.

Short hair Penny contemplating a little fringe. But I am not that cool so don't worry. Also, my new hair cut really compliments my natural hair colour. As soon as I got it cut people keep asking if I've dyed my hair (and left the greys???) but I guess the bleach and mass of hair just detracted from what was there.

This pic is a bit crap - but it shows that the ombre is definitely gone. I do miss my hair, and the brightness of the ombre. Without the big hair and orange my wardrobe is looking really ...tired. So boring. My hair was an accesory in itself so I am having to learn how to dress all over again....sometimes it's a chore but a lot of the time it is really fun. 

I cut off my hair!

Hello hello!

Erm, i cut my hair!

I didn't want to start my new job with my ombre - partly because it was orange and partly because it was ratty.

I needed a trim anyway and I just decided that I had to get it chopped off. A lot of people....actually everyone I spoke to.. said to keep my length and suggested I dye over the ombre, but I'm the sort of person that once I've decided something, it's as good as done.  

I made an appointment at Evolutions in Stratford, and saw my usual hair stylist Tracy (she is amazing).
I told her that it was time for the ombre to go. I kind of explained to her that I wanted a long bob, no layers, and that I wanted to "look cool". In my head I was thinking a tidy Alexa Chung, Olivia Palermo type thing. 

As requested, she cut it off.

Admitedly, I hated it. And it's only the last few days that I've started to like it.
I do not have the right type of hair or face shape for a bob, however long. But my hair feels great and is so easy to maintain. My hair is very frizzy and 'kinky' ;) but since I want that slightly messy look it works in my favour. If I was hoping for a sleek and sexy bob then I failed, but I like my messy look. The key is volume, which I don't naturally have, but I'm slowly learning to make the best out of hairspray and dry shampoo (even on freshly washed hair). 

My hair is gone now so I'm not even going to ask about what you think. If I had typed up this post straight after the chop I would have ended this with "hair grows back", but to be honest I am tempted to keep it this length or possibly go even shorter!!!!

Michael Kors Watch: Model MK5191

Hi Guys!

So excited with my new watch - Michael Kors model MK5191 - it's black and gold, with a black silicone link strap. It goes really well with my wardrobe (black!!!) and with my Monica Vinader bracelets.

I've only had it for a few days - but I love it. I've always wanted a Michael Kors watch cos...I'm a sheep, and I am not disapointed at all. It is beautiful and I can't stop staring at it! And on a practical side I now have one more item to help me to get to work on time lol

New job update

Wooooooo Hooooooooooo First week under my belt!

I am loving my new job. I really miss my old place but am happy with my new place. And everyone's big question is about the commute...

I am very very pleased to announce that I have had zero panic attacks. I absolutely hate it and I get sweaty and my heart hurts, but I've made it to work and back home every single day. So thats 10-nil to me!

The practical downside of commuting is, I ended up getting sick on my first day! Turned up to work fine, and by lunchtime I was down with a cold. It could just be a coincidence, but I am sure it's because my body is shocked at all the germs it met that morning! I am still full of cold as I type this, but at least my immune system has had an exercise and hopefully this will be my one big cold of the year. 

I really love being in London. I got lost one day (yeah.....) and ended up walking up and down the back roads and was just wowed at how beautiful the city is. London is such a gorgeous mix of old and new and it is a honour to be here.

Week 2 starts tomorrow. Excited :)

Nail Polish Remover

Hi guys!

So a while ago I posted about my (failed) quest to get my hands on a push top nail polish remover bottle.

I shared my tale of woe (#firstworldproblems ?) with my friend and the next time I saw her she gifted me with 'this' [as pictured].

I think she picked it up at Aldi and it was cheap....maybe £2? 

Tbh I was not concerned about the nail polish remover itself and really just wanted it for the push down top action but actually the product really impressed me as well. 

I got a cotton pad, opened the lid and pressed down on the thingy 2-4 times and my cotton pad was nicely saturated. the nail polish remover easily removed my 2 coats of black nail polish, insta dri top coat and rimmel base coat. 

I would definitely recommend you pick this up if you see it.