Serialing

This post is one I cannot not post. It's about a podcast called Serial, recommended to me by my boyfriend. He had listened to a couple of episodes before he told me about it and this is when I decided to try it with an open mind. 

All I can say is after 1 episode...I was hooked!

I was constantly serial-ing before and after work or whenever I could and in less than a week I finished all the episodes. Currently there is only series 1, which has 12 episodes, but I'm hoping for series 2 because it is just so addictive.

I really don't want to give any spoilers or say too much information that's in the podcast, although that kills me since I want to blurt out all my suspicions, but its because I seriously feel like you all need to listen to this. It honestly creates so many thoughts and feelings when you hear them and you end up getting to tied up and involved. So I would love to discuss about it if any of you have listened to them!

If you want to find out more information or you want to listen to the podcast, visit http://serialpodcast.org/.

If you have an iPhone, you can also download the podcasts so you can listen to them on your way to work/school/anywhere because seriously you'll want to be serial-ing all the time once you start!

As I mentioned, I would love to hear all your viewpoints on it, so if you have listened/are listening to the podcasts please do comment down below :) 

Love Anna x

The Perch, Oxford

Winter Walk & Lunch at The Perch, Oxford

It was recently my boyfriend's birthday and for his birthday we took a stroll through Port Meadow then had lunch at The Perch in Oxford, which is a historic and rustic pub that is tucked away behind the meadow. It was my first time there and I was so impressed with the food that was served and the environment. 

When the food was served I just couldn't resist snapping up a few photographs for my blog because the food and plating was just so lovely. 

First up was starters, I shared my boyfriend's because I made a silly mistake of eating quite a lot for breakfast, so wanted to make sure I wasn't too full for my main. His was a really delicious parnsip soup served with bread on the side. 

For my main I ordered leek and parsnip cakes with cider and rosemary sauce. I was so pleasantly surprised when it arrived because the cakes had strips of parsnip on top that really decorated it well. It tasted so amazing too and the sauce complemented it perfectly. I definitely recommend this dish to anyone visiting The Perch. 

My boyfriend went for the burger and even that looked very cute on its plate. The tomato relish was such a good dipping sauce for the chips. 

Finally, dessert...and I'm a girl who definitely cannot go without having something sweet to finish off, so dessert was a must. I ordered something I had never tried before and usually this backfires for me, however when the Hedgerow Fool arrived, I knew I had picked well. It was a mixture of berries and yoghurt served in a glass with a shortbread biscuit on the side. 

All in all, it was a wonderful lunch and the perfect place to visit on a cold winters afternoon. I love going for walks and visiting new, hidden away places. The Perch is such a rustic place with some of the most appetising food I had ever tasted. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is visiting Oxford or near.

Have you recently come across any hidden gems around your town/city? I know I love finding new ones, so please do recommend any in the comments below! 

Love Anna, x

Costa's Seasonal Drinks

Costa's Christmas Drinks

I want to begin my post by firstly apologising for the lack of posts especially over the Christmas period. It has been so busy with family (as you all may know) so I hope you have all had an amazing festive period.
Something I've been meaning to blog about is my recent obsession with Costa's seasonal drinks! I first got hooked when I had a white hot chocolate last winter and when I heard their seasonal drinks were back I was excited to try all the different drinks. 

The festive range included:

White Hot Chocolate with Cherry Sauce

Brownie Hot Chocolate

Black Forest Hot Chocolate

Orange Hot Chocolate

Hot Spiced Apple

Even though I can't really drink milk, I have the soy versions and it's been the best! So glad that they can make soy versions because this means I can enjoy them without reacting badly to the milk. It's also been very fun going for Costa runs with my boyfriend who loves to drink lattes and especially because I don't usually get hot drinks out, its been extra special.

The cute cups are an additional bonus because they are so fitting for Christmas.

The Reindeer Cup

The Snowman Cup

The Santa Cup

Hot Spiced Apple

Orange Hot Chocolate

The flavours are just so delicious and because I loved them all I don't think I could pick a favourite! So if they are still around and you fancy a warm drink, make sure to try one. I promise you won't regret it! I'm definitely going to be sad when they go, however having them only at Christmas, makes them that extra special. 

Have you tried Costa's seasonal drinks? Which ones are your favourite?

Love Anna x

Mid Week Rave

Mid Week Product Rave

It's been a while since I posted and mostly due to the crazy amount of things I've had to do! Christmas is such a busy period so you all must know what I mean. Hope you've all been good though and everyone is ready for Christmas! 
I've decided to do a quick mid-week rave about some new products I bought recently and seriously been loving! A lot of them I've incorporated into my everyday wear just because I love them and they're so perfect for right now.

The first is something I've been wanting to try for a while. I've seen so many YouTube videos about this new dry shampoo called CO Lab, so when I saw it instore I decided to purchase it. My sister recently got me into Batiste's dry shampoos but I wanted to experiment with other brands as well and this one has just been perfect. Just like I found with the new Batiste range, it doesn't leave white streaks in my dark hair and because I don't like to wash my hair every night as I feel it makes it worse, this really has been my saviour. What also makes it the best as well, is the scent and my favourite is definitely the Tokyo fragrance.



Another two products I've just loved is my Seventeen Cheek Stamp in and Sleek's Blusher in Rose Gold. I already have a cheek stamp and I used it until I hit the tin so I purchased another in the shade Bash-ful. Its a very subtle colour when blended out and helps give a little colour the cheeks.

The other blusher I purchased was Sleek's in the shade 'Rose Gold'. I've been wanting to get my hands on this product for a while now especially when I found out it was very similar to Nars blush in 'Orgasm', which I've wanted to buy since forever. The thing I love most about this is the highlighting effect it has from the shimmer. When applied lightly to the cheeks, it can add some colour and a brightening effect.

Lastly, a product I'm loving is an eyeliner, which has definitely made it to the top of my favourite eyeliners and I could talk you on and on why I love this eyeliner so much. But ultimately, it does what an eyeliner is meant to do! Its nice and easy to apply and literally stays put! I converted to using gel liners as I found that pencil and liquid liners always bleed, but even though this liner is a kohl liner, it doesn't bleed like others ones I've tried.  I definitely think I'll keep purchasing this as my everyday eyeliner! Another bonus (not bias) is that it's by my favourite cosmetic company, Maybelline.

What's been your mid-week favourites? Please do share posts and comment below your favourite products!

Love Anna x

Carluccio's, Bicester Village

Lunch at Carluccio's

It's been very hectic and busy at home recently and therefore as a end of week treat, we went to Carluccio's in Bicester Village for lunch. It was an excuse to dress up a little and Christmas in Bicester Village is always one of my favourite things (and not because of the crazy amount of people that visit!) but because of all the decorations and lights.

The interior deco in Carluccio's literally made me feel like I have been showered in Christmas spirit! Despite the fact that there is still a while till Christmas arrives, it was nice to be all dressed up and having warm meals in the warmth.

It has been a while since I went to Carluccio's as we usually lunch at Villandry, so I decided to take some photos of all the pretty and yummy foods and share them on my blog!

Nibbles: Bread Tin with Balsamic Vinegar and Oil

Starter: Fried Mushroom Risotto Balls with Tomato Balls

Starter: Fettucce Al Tartufo (Egg Pasta with Truffle and Butter Sauce)

My starter and main meal complemented each other so well. The risotto balls starter was very delicious and not too filling. Then despite the fact that my main was quite small in size, it had a heavy taste, which meant the portion was perfect!
Even though I have such a sweet tooth, I decided to be good and pass on dessert (something I'm regretting right now!).

I always love spending time with my family and eating so the afternoon was absolutely perfect! 

Have you been to Bicester Village? and Are you all looking forward to the Christmas period? Please do share any recommendations for good lunch places to visit! I would love to try out new and old places. 

Love Anna x

Impulse Shopping

Mini Shopping Haul

I was in Wilko recently and I surprised to see some of their good deals on beauty products. I always need new brushes and am a nail varnish hauler so I ended up purchasing some brushes and nail varnish for great prices.

Nails

Their Maybelline section had the Forever Strong Professional Nail Varnish for £3.50. Although there were limited colours, I picked up the shades '130 - Rose Poudre' and '265 - Orchidee Divine Wine'. I've recently been into nudes and this pink nude is just perfect and has knocked itself to the top of my favourites pile. The darker shade is also a gorgeous colour and I think it would compliment some dark lips in the autumn and winter weather. The Maybelline varnishes have a rounded brush that makes painting my nails so much faster and easier and with two coats, the colours are rich and long-lasting. They have now become my favourite nail polishes ever, as they just glide on easily and last for so long! The colours that available are amazing as well, so I'll definitely be investing in more.

Another nail varnish I picked up was from Superdrug and I purchased it because I've had my eye on nail strengtheners quite a lot. My nails have grown quite a lot but feel very weak so I've needed something that will keep them from snapping and splitting. Despite being tempted by the Essie range, I decided to try out Sally Hansen's Hard As Nails (£4.75). So I shall try it out loads and possibly review it later whether it is a good find or another clear nail varnish.

Brushes

In terms of brushes, I've needed a new blusher brush and a powder brush for loose powder. Wilko has a range of different brushes; a set of pink/blue brushes and premium brushes. After deliberating all the various ones, I bought the Premium Powder Brush for £4.00 and the Wilko Blusher Brush for £2.00. They both feel very soft and can match up to the Real Techniques' brushes I have. Therefore definitely considering purchasing more from their range. 

Have you made any cheeky mid-week purchases recently? Or found any good beauty or non-beauty related deals? I'd love to hear about them! 

Love Anna x