Stevie and Rob Wedding Photos

Back in June Joe and I had the pleasure of being official photographers for our friend's wedding. The sun was shining, children were laughing and family were mingling, it was a truly lovely day all round. We started at 10am and finished at 11.45pm, it was a loooooong day, but it was well worth it.

Jintana - Eating Vegan Thai in the Lakes

Joe and I have been in the Lake District for a few days celebrating our 8 year anniversary, enjoying some hills and some fresh air. We stayed in a static caravan so took lots of food with us partly to save money and partly because we weren't sure how Vegan friendly the pubs would be.
Hoever we did on two occasions eat out.

On our last night we frequented a Thai restaurant in Ambleside called Jintana. A lovely little place that we'd driven past earlier on in the week. We love thai food so we decided that this was the place we wanted to have our anniversary meal in.

Pattaya

I started with a virgin cocktail 'Pattaya' - guava juice, pineapple juice, lychee syrup and grenadine with 'Popia Todd' - vegetarian spring rolls with plum sauce, both of which were delicious. Joe had a pint of Singha and 'Moo Todd Gratium' - deep friend pork with garlic with chilli dipping sauce. Shortly after we'd finished the starters our main courses came out. I had the vegetarian 'Pad Thai Jay' a noodle and tofu dish which I had requested without the egg to make it Vegan. It was as good as I'd had it when I'd have eaten it with chicken and egg, the tofu was really nice. Joe had 'Gang Ped Gai' - Thai red curry and 'Khao Khreb Tod' - prawn crackers.

Khao Khreb Tod

There was a huge choice of dishes including a wide range of vegetarian food on their menu and they were happy to make make alterations to your meal. The service was really good and the food was even better! I've recommended Jintana to my parents who will be staying where we stayed at the end of the month as I would anyone else who enjoys thai food and is staying in the lakes.

Moo Todd Gratium

Popia Todd

Gang Ped Gai

Pad Thai Jay

Veganniversary

Yesterday marked the two month anniversary of me becoming Vegan.

I hadn't even noticed it had been two months because it's been such an easy transition for me.

Joe and I went to my parents house for dinner and as a happy coincidence it was the first vegan meal they've cooked for me. Mum had been fretting all week about what I was going to eat. I had told her it wasn't a big deal, I could bring my own, but she was having none of it. When we arrived and I saw that they were all having roast chicken, I assumed I was having the same (minus the chicken of course). As it turns out, my dad had been in the kitchen for 2 hours the night before making a HUGE vegan shepherds pie just for me. It's a Jamie Oliver recipe that Joe has cooked for us before so I couldn't wait to sit down and munch my way through it! Once we were all finished with the main meal, Mum then brought in various pots of ice cream, and a lemon sorbet for me. We spent he rest of the evening drinking wine and playing card games.

For some Vegans, this would cause a problem. Three people around that dinner table were consuming meat, eggs and dairy products. While I don't agree and would much rather they took on the lifestyle that I have chosen, I know that along with my piercings, dress sense and love of guinea pigs, it's all personal choice. I can't and wouldn't force anyone to take on my beliefs, but what I can do is set an example. I can show people the hurt and suffering that happens to animals, and then back it up with the proof that Vegan food can be DELICIOUS and filling and not lacking in anything.

Becoming Vegan

Monday 15th June 2015 - The day I became a Vegan

I started the day in much the same way as always, I got up, went to work, had breakfast whilst sat at my desk int the pharmaceutical company I currently work for. I often watch/listen to documentaries while I work,  for some reason or another it helps me concentrate. I also watch a lot of Youtube videos, some make up/lifestyle vloggers, some healthy eating/fitness people and some vegan people. I'd been toying with the idea of being vegan for a longtime, I'd never been a huge fan of meat but didn't really know how to cut it out.

I'd briefly met Tim Shieff about 5 years ago at Taylor's Retreat, The Pole studio where I train as a pole dancer. He was doing his usual flips and tricks etc. I'd gone online later that evening and subscribed to his Youtube channel. Recently he has been uploading videos more frequently so the vegan thing kept coming up more often. Tim features in other peoples vlogs too so I was getting to see other vegans online. A lot of them recommend some documentaries so I decided to have a look at them. The first one on my list was 'Earthlings'. It is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, a vegan since roughly the age of 4 so I've read. The film is made up entirely of footage in slaughterhouses, trucks, farms, etc. Some of it is clearly undercover filming some not. I sat through the entire film (at work in an office of around 60 people) with tears streaming down my face, teeth clenched shaking with anger.
Thousands of helpless animals being mutilated, tortured and killed in the name of human consumption. It was something I knew was happening but have never really looked in the face.

If something works, why would you pick it apart and try and understand it? We love eating meat, eggs and dairy. We like wearing leather jackets and shoes. We have great fun at the races with friends. So why would we want to stop doing any of those things?

I decided there and then that I could no longer be a contributor to this mass slaughter. I was now Vegan.

Crabtree and Evelyn Somerset Meadow Hand cream

I don't have the most elegant hands. They're normal enough, but I have chunky knuckles and really dry skin, so keeping my nails looking nice is one way of making them a little more ladylike. I also have to use hand cream a lot, but most sink in too quickly to notice, and others sit on the skin and are so greasy that I daren't touch anything!

My Mum came to my rescue one day with a small tube of loveliness. Crabtree and Evelyn Somerset Meadow. I squeezed a little on to the back of my hand to smell and oh my goodness I fell in love. It has a beautifully floral (but not granny) scent with shea butter for intensive moisturising. It's not too thick that it tugs at the skin, but not so thin that it slides around, it's just right for a luxurious hand massage. Rub in to the cuticles to keep them looking fresh and clean.

My hands suffer more at work because of the terribly drying soap in the bathrooms, so I tend to use it a fair bit during the day, but I barely make a dent in the tube because a little really does go a long way!

I'm a huge fan of this hand cream and must sing its praises a lot because just the other day my Mum came home from a shopping trip with a HUGE tube of it! Oh how I hugged her! I love the packaging fromCrabtree and Evelyn, it's simple but beautiful.

It's around £15 for the biggest tube 100ml which I'm sure will last a lifetime! I will definitly be picking up some more of thei products to try.

What's your favourite hand cream?

Stevie and Rob pre Wedding Shoot at Tilgate

6th June 2015 is going to be a very special day for Stevie and Rob, it's the day they get married!!

It will also be very special for Joe and I as it will be our first full wedding to photograph....EEEEEK

We were incredibly flattered when they asked if we would be their photographers, but also very nervous.

We all went to Tilgate to do a pre wedding shoot to allow them to get used to posing for photos and for us to practice our people photography and learn how best to direct them.

There was a lot of talking, some nerves and lots of laughing...

Things I would tell my younger me

I was watching Katrin Berndt interview Nic and Sam Chapman when she asked them a question that really made me think.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I know a lot of people say that they wouldn't change anything about their lives as it might change who they are today and they're quite happy as they are.

But

What if your life could be even better?

I think it's a very personal decision, but if I had the choice, there's definitely a few things I would tell my younger me...

- Eat well and exercise - It is really hard to loose weight once you've gained it, it will help keep your skin clear and glowing and it will make you feel better.

- Make effort with friends - from school, hobbies etc, it's all too easy to drift away from people when things get busy and stressed. Keep in touch, forgive and most of all enjoy being with them.

- Don't waste money - Put some away every month, don't waste it on crap, it will just clog up your house. It sounds boring and like a lifetime away, but having money for a house deposit makes a HUGE difference and you will appreciate it in the long run. That doesn't mean you can't treat yourself, but occasionally.

- Listen to the orthodontist - When he suggests you need train tracks, don't turn your nose up and refuse, they only last a year or so, and you will have lovely straight teeth. Lots of people have to have them so you won't be the only one!

- Don't waste time worrying about boys - Enjoy being young, enjoy having friends, you have your whole life for doing all those adult things, you don't need to impress anyone. Be happy being friends with boys and girls and leave all the love stuff until you're old enough to understand the choices you make.

- Think about what you want to do in life - Go to College or University and do something you enjoy and make a living out of it. However, a lot of people don't find something they love doing until they're in their 30s,40s,50s,60s etc it's never too late to do something you want. There are adult courses at college, there are open Uni courses too. If you know what you want to do when you're at school, it can make things a lot easier and cheaper.

- Stop plucking eyebrows - Honestly, over plucked eyebrows are not nor have they ever been a good look, go and get them done and then just keep them tidy.

- Don't keep putting things off - Do things when you want to, stop worrying about what might happen and who might think something about it. Do what makes you happy. Too many times have I thought about doing something and then talked myself out of it. I was 16 when I first thought about actually going to learn how to Pole, I'd always wanted to pole dance but had to wait until I was 16 to take part in the class. Then when it came to it I chickened out at the last minute after a friend let me down. When I was 20 I thought about starting a blog, but talked myself out of it as I thought nobody would be interested in anything I had to say. The point is that I regret not starting when I was younger as chances are I'd be much better and much more established by now.

Smaller but equally as important:

- Give yourself plenty of time to get ready for EVERYTHING. I've had a lot of stress in my years from leaving it too late to start getting ready and then having a tantrum because I have nothing to wear and nothing is going right.

- Try and like tomatoes, life is much easier if you like tomatoes

- Learn to boil an egg

- Smile and laugh every day

Nude Attitude - A mind set and a Revlon lipstick

A few weeks back I was re-watching a Lisa Eldridge video of a look she'd done on Clémence Poésy; a 'soft tonal look', very simple, elegant make up, and though I don't look anything like her, much to my disappointment, I thought it might be a look that would suit me.

Lisa uses a few different shades of brown on Clémence to emphasise but not overpower her delicate features, but what really caught my eye was the lipstick she used. Revlon - Nude Attitude, a matte nude/very light peach shade.

I headed in to Boots that very weekend and picked it up. Now I'll be honest, it looks pretty scary in the bullet, a very fine irridescent shimmer in a peach lipstick...hmm I wasn't convinced, but that little guy in red was sat on my shoulder saying just buy it!!!

So I did, and I tried to recreate the look. Whilst I look nothing like Clémence, nor do I have Lisa's make up artistry skills, I think I did alright. Then came the moment of truth, the lipstick. I lined my lips with Mac Subculture, and then filled in with Nude Attitude. I LOVED IT.

It glides on beautifully! Sometimes matte lipsticks can drag, but not this one! It gives enough colour pay off in one swipe that you don't need to keep adding more. It doesn't feel drying, or sticky, it just stays there where you put it and looks lovely.

It's become a firm favourite of mine the last few weeks, and tends to be something I team with big 70s looking hair and brown smokey eyes.

I like that it can be worn at work in the day time, and then jazzed up in the evening for a more glamorous look.

Let me know what you think, would you wear it?

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I first heard about Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish a few years ago on someone's Youtube channel, and soon saw it on EVERYONE's monthly favourites and skin care videos. Prior to hearing about it, I'd ...wait for it... never used a cleanser....

Ok that's not strictly true; I'd used the 'Clean and Clear Blackhead Removing Cleanser', but never a cream or balm cleanser, so this was a new and rather exciting purchase for me.

All these years later and it's still my go to for my morning/evening cleansing routine.

I use my 'Nivea Double Effect' make up remover to take off my make up, and then go in with the cleanse and polish which I really enjoy massaging in to my skin. It has a fairly light scent with hints of Rosemary, Chamomile and Eucalyptus. The cleanser can be bought on its own or with a muslin cloth. I usually use my cheap and cheerful white flannels from Primark, but when I'm having a bit of a pamper I use the Liz Earle cloths. It's really gentle on the skin with just enough exfoliation to lift away and dead skin and grime, leaving your skin feeling soft and looking radiant. I leave it to do its thing while I clean my teeth, then gently wipe it off with the cloth soaked in warm water. When all my make up is gone I splash my face with some cool water and that's it, glowy and fresh. It costs around £15 for the cleanser and a muslin cloth, which I think is pretty reasonable. It's gentle enough to use on most skin types, and doesn't leave it feeling tight and uncomfortable.
I've recommended this to a lot of people most of whom now don't use anything else.

I love it, do you? Have you used any other Liz Earle products?

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation

No matter how many foundations I own, I'm always on the lookout for something new and better. So when this little gem popped up on the shelves of my local Tesco, I couldn't think of any possible reason why I shouldn't buy ANOTHER.

I've liked Rimmel foundations before, but never really had a 'WOW' moment. It tends to be for work or shopping as I don't find them that long-lasting. Lets just say that I wasn't expecting a lot (sorry Rimmel).

So under the harsh fluorescent lighting and some well used testers I chose shade 100 Ivory. I tried it for the first time the next morning and was blown away! I applied it straight after moisturiser using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush and found that it blended seamlessly in with my complexion. It gives great coverage without looking or feeling too heavy, which I like a LOT. You have to work fairly quickly with it as it sets and then doesn't budge, so I don't suggest dotting it around your face to blend in after, because it won't. Once blended and set it has a really lovely natural look. If you're worried about it looking a bit dull, I've been teaming it with Rimmel's new 'Good to Glow' highlighter in '001 Notting Hill Glow' which is great for a summer shimmer.

As for the 25 hour claim?? I apply my make up at 6.30 in the morning for work, so Friday night I left it on and went to bed (*slaps wrist*) and come 7.30 on Saturday morning, it was a little worn but still had pretty decent coverage overall.

I'm Seriously impressed with this product and have worn it everyday since I bought it.

Have you tried Rimmel foundations? What are your thoughts?