Friday, July 15, 2016

Salted Nutella Cookies


Last week, I wanted to treat myself so I placed a huge DVD and book order. The book that I ordered was Tanya Bakes, a cookbook by vlogger Tanya Burr. I was contemplating about getting it and after seeing the gorgeous photography all over social media I had to get it. Baking things is one of my favourite things to do, so I knew that this book would always come in handy.

When I looked in the book there were so many recipes that I wanted to try - hello rainbow cake!- but there was one baked good that immediately made my heart skip a beat: Salted Nutella Cookies. I love Nutella and I love a touch of salt. Salted caramel is the best discovery ever, so I knew that these cookies were going to be awesome sauce and I was right!

What do you need?
200gr unsalted, softened butter
300gr caster sugar
1 large egg
325gr self-raising flower
1 teaspoon of sea salt
4 big tablespoons of Nutella

First, preheat your oven to 180C/350F and line two baking trays with grease proof paper.
Mix together the butter and sugar until it becomes creamy and fluffy. Then add the egg and mix again. Gradually add the flower until you get a lovely dough. Now it's time to add the good stuff: Nutella! The recipe said 200gr, but I took 4 big scoops; the jar was half empty by now, so I figured that would be enough. I mixed it slowly with the dough until I got a gorgeous marble effect. 
Divide the dough into large dough balls, I had about 12, and press them down on the baking trays. They will become huge, so make sure there is enough space between them. 
Sprinkle on some sea salt and put them in the oven for about 12 minutes. Let them cool down for 20 minutes and then it's time to dig in!

They are honestly one of the best cookies I have ever tasted and they definitely taste and look like they belong in a hipster bakery. The cookies are also so easy to make and would be perfect for any occasion. I also baked some salted caramel brownies -my salted caramel obsession had gone a bit too far maybe- and they have been amazing too. That recipe will be up soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Have you bought Tanya Bakes yet?

Monday, July 11, 2016

Origins Out of Trouble Mask

Origins Out of Trouble Mask
Last year I finally got around to try a mask from Origins. Spotty skin has always been a struggle for me and since many people said that the Origins Clear Improvement mask is THE BEST, I had to give it a go. Of course I fell head over heels in love with that face mask and I had to try more. My eyes quickly fell on the Origins Out of Trouble mask, since it's also meant to do wonders to problem skin, and I was a very happy lady when I received it as one of my birthday presents.

Now, I have to start off with the fact that I don't love this mask as much as the Origins Clear Improvement mask. That mask just gives the loveliest glow to my skin. I don't know how that mask does it's thang but it's definitely working for me.
The Out of Trouble mask also gives a glow, but it's not as noticeable. I do find that it helps to calm down my skin and red spots a bit more than the other mask. I apply the white mask two times a week. I love the minty/eucalyptus scent a lot as it really gives you that luxury spa feeling. It’s a 10 minute mask, but I probably leave it on for way longer. When a face mask is that expensive I'd like to really let is sit on my skin properly. When I feel it has done its job I rinse it off with a cloth and some warm water and I start on my skincare routine. After this whole ritual I am left with clean, soft and even skin that looks and feels lovely!

The Origins masks keep on surprising me with what they can do. They might be a bit expensive but for me this is totally justified. I personally have never found a mask in the drugstore that I love as much as these ones. And as we speak I might pop a new Origins face mask in my shopping basket. I just can't get enough!

What is your favourite face mask?

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

The Perfect Zara Bag


A couple of days ago I scrolled through the photos on my phone and found a screenshot that I took in February of a Zara bag. 'Past me' would probably scream with excitement if she found out that a couple months later I finally made the decision to purchase it. I think that when you can't stop thinking about an item, you should just buy it. As long as you can afford it, why not? 

For me, finding a bag that I like is quite hard. My eyes usually fall on expensive bags that I can't afford - same situation with this bag- and I usually forget about them, but not this one. Every time I walked into Zara I had to take a look at it, but when I glanced at the price (€129,-) I was like no way! Since I got a new job and I still couldn't get my mind off it I finally picked out the best looking bag, payed for it and never looked back.


It has a Chanel Boy bag feeling and that alone makes me love it a lot. The black leather looks so gorgeous and I find that it's quite a classic bag that is perfect for every occasion. It looks so chique and lucky for me it's not as expensive as a Chanel bag. I still want one though, but my future self will probably look back at this post and laugh because she finally has one. Can we fast forward to that day please?


Which bag is on your wish list?

Friday, July 1, 2016

The New Benefit Brow


For the past couple of years I have been quite brow obsessed. Ever since Cara Delevingne debuted her bushy brows I was in love with the look and it really made me change the way I view eyebrows. As a teenager I always thought they were never that important. I mainly focused on perfecting my skin and getting long, black lashes, not on filling in my eyebrows. 
I really like my natural eyebrows. They are quite full and thick but could use a bit more colour and definition. I have been thinking about dying them but that always reminds me of the movie 'Wild Child' where Drippy gets her eyebrows tinted by Kate and is left with way too dark brows. Of course I will get them done by someone who actually knows what they are doing, but the thought still frightens me a bit, so for now brow products are my best friends.

A few months ago, I was kindly invited to an event from Benefit Cosmetics where they introduced a new brow collection. Benefit is famous for their brows and I actually went to a Benefit Brow Bar a couple of years ago. I had an amazing time at the event and you can read about the entire new collection here.



For today, I am reviewing two of their new products. The first product is actually an oldie but in new packaging. The Benefit 'Gimme Brow'* (€26,50) has been a huge success since it launched and I have to say the hype is true. I have tried many other brow gels in my life, but this one definitely does it for me. The wand is nice and tiny and gives you a lot of precision when you apply it. I have the colour 1, which gives a light tint that perfectly matches my eyebrows. I usually use it to set my brows, but on a simple make-up day it’s perfect to use on its own for a bit of extra colour. 
There are five shades for most brow products so there is always one that suits you. 1 and 2 are the best for me since they have a cool undertone and match my light hair perfectly.

'Precisely, My Brow Pencil'* (€26,50) is a brow pencil that gives me the Soap & Glory Brow Archery and Anastasia Brow Wiz feels. I have to say that in general I prefer to use powder on my eyebrows. Brow pencils tend to give me a drawn on eyebrows look and I am not the biggest fan of that.
Besides my personal preference I did try it out and I do like it. I used the pencil to make the outer line of the brow more precise and it works perfectly fine for that. The pencil is really petite which makes it perfect to draw on tiny hairs if your eyebrows aren't as full. 


The packaging of both products (and the entire collection) is really pretty. I love how they gave it one look instead of giving every brow product a different packaging. It unites all the products together and the silver look is very unique and makes it stand out. 

I also tried out the other products on the Benefit Event and they are all very lovely. The collection is full of newbies and golden oldies so there will probably be something that you fancy and works best on your brows. I would really recommend popping into a Benefit counter and have a look at the new products yourself.

Which Benefit brow product is your favourite?


*The items with a * were kindly sent to me. My opinion and fabulous brows are completely my own.

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