Long Time, No See!!

What up homies? (Okay, maybe not the best intro, but oh well!!)

I hope all of you are having a great 2015, and I hope you had a brilliant Christmas!

I have not blogged for over three months and for that, I am eternally sorry!

I have had a lot of personal mountains to climb over the past few months and a lot of personal matters to attend to, but now, I am ready to blog as often as possible!!

Any suggestions of blog posts anyone wants me to do will be appreciated or I can carry on with a similar style to before.

I look forward to hearing from any readers and can't wait to start frequently blogging again!

In the meantime, follow me on Bloglovin, like, share, comment and most importantly, Keep it Saph and aim for the stars! (Goodness, I have missed typing that!)

See ya,
Saph x

Blogmas #4: Festive Jammy Dodgers

SO, Christmas is fast approaching and so I thought that I would start making some festive biscuits for the whole family to enjoy!

Those of you who know me will know that I love Jammy Dodgers and so I have found a recipe online to make my own, creating a fun activity for everyone to get involved in - whether it be the baking or the taste testing!

This recipe is from BBC Good Food and they have so many amazing recipes that are quick and easy to make!

For your ingredients, you are going to need:

• 225g unsalted butter, softened
• 100g caster sugar
• 200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 100g strawberry or raspberry jam (about half a jar)

Step 1: Put the butter, sugar and flour into a food processor and whizz until the mixture just comes together and forms a ball. But, if you want to build up your muscles, you can make them by hand by first beating together the butter and sugar, then adding the flour. Wrap in cling film and leave in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: After you have left the dough to set, remove it from the fridge and knead until it is soft enough to shape and roll. Divide into two even-size balls. Sprinkle a little plain flour over your work surface and roll out one ball of pastry. Then I use a festive-shaped cutter and dip in a little flour to stop it from sticking. Try and cut out as many as possible! Then lightly knead the dough trimmings together and roll out again. Carefully place the shaped biscuits on a baking sheet, making sure you keep them slightly apart.

Step 3: Then, roll out the second ball of dough the same way. Cut out the same-size shapes and place them on a baking sheet. Now cut out a small circle in the centre of each biscuit using a small cookie cutter or the end of a large piping nozzle

Step 4: Heat your oven to 140C/fan 120C/gas 1 and cook the biscuits for 20-30 mins until they have turned a lovely golden colour. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool completely. Place a blob of jam onto the centre of the biscuits without the cut-out circle. Be generous – you want the jam to show at the edges as well as the centre! Place the top halves of the biscuits on and push down gently. The biscuits should stay fresh for the next three days in an airtight container, that is if you haven't eaten them all before then!

For those of you that care about the calorific value and the health value of these biscuits, I got this directly off of the website! The original recipe uses nuts, but I don't so the values will alter slightly!

kcalories

141

 

protein

2g

 

carbs

14g

 

fat

10g

 

saturates

5g

 

fibre

1g

 

sugar

8g

 

salt

0.01g 

Enjoy!

Thanks for reading guys and make sure you are here again tomorrow for Blogmas Day Number 5!!

Keep it Saph, and aim for the stars!

Saph x

Blogmas #3: The Christmas Tag

So Hannah from Hannatalks http://www.hannatalks.uk/ has done the Christmas Tag and hasn't tagged anyone in particular so I decided to take it upon myself to complete it for Blogmas Day Number 3!! So here goes!

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?

I love lots of different Christmas movies, but after looking through my Christmas movie drawer, I have settled on doing a third, second and first!! In third place, is Santa Paws; Kaitlyn Maher is so adorable and the Dogs are just as cute! I love this Christmas movie and I am also looking forward to seeing Santa Paws 2! In second place is going to have to be Nativity!, it such a great movie and is really funny and is really great to watch with younger members of the family. And in first place is Miracle on 34th Street. It such a brilliant movie and there is nothing un-christmassy about it! It puts me in the mood for Christmas and also brings magic and the Christmas spirit!

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

I loved Hannah's answer to this question! I think I might try that window wrapping paper trick!! We always open the presents on Christmas day, sometimes before food, sometimes after. There is no set time and a lot of them are opened on Boxing Day!

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

I love every Christmas as it is always spent with family. I love phoning the family in the morning to wish them a Happy Christmas and I love everyone all sitting round the table, about to start eating!

4. Favourite festive food?

Oh, goodness, I don't have to choose do I? This is so difficult! I love everything! The meat is a highlight! As are the Yorkshire Puddings, and the vegetables, and the potatoes, and the gravy and the sauces and the sausages in bacon and well, yeah, you guessed it, everything!

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

I love all the presents I get! But I think the tickets to events such as Capital Summertime Ball are my favourites!

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

I love the smell of Christmas dinner - yes, I know, more food... Oops! That and also a frosted berries candle!

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

We have a selection of different buffet foods on the table and watch a Christmas movie!

8. What tops your tree?

On the small tree in the centre of the room, we have an angel that we have had for as long as I remember and on the big tree in the corner, we have a gold star!

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

To have Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Prince Eric, Ariel and Belle to come to my Christmas Party... Oops... Yeah, I know, I don't know why they never turned up either... 

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Spending time with family, taking Christmas-y photos, giving presents, receiving presents, having Christmas dinner and most of all, decorating the house and making it feel all Christmas-y and warm!

Thanks to Hannah from Hannatalks again for the questions.

Have you completed the Christmas Tag? Any of you reading can complete it! Link me them in the comment box  below!
Thanks guys, 
Keep it Saph and aim for the Christmas stars!
Saph x

Blogmas #2: Make-up favourites - Part 1: Two Lips, Two Eyes

So, it is December 2nd and already some Christmas decorations are going up around the house!
Doors Number 1 and 2 are open on our advent calendars and Christmas music has been playing moreorless non-stop!! And seeing as it is the 2nd and Blogmas Day Number 2, I thought I would tell you about my two favourite lip products and my two favourite eye products! Each product is from a different brand, to give you guys a broad range!!

They are all from Superdrug and I will leave the links and prices below!!

Lip Product Number 1: Nivea Hydro Care

Now, I suppose some of you won't consider this as a make-up product but I can't apply any other lip products unless I have used this water based lip balm. An added bonus is the SPF15 that is also included in this product in this amazing product!!

I know some of you prefer lip butter from a tin but I prefer a stick as I personally find it more hygienic; especially if I have cracked lips whilst outside - who knows what germs could get in you lips!! -_-

At the moment, it is £1.10 in Superdrug and the link is below!! £1.10 for something amazing!! I think it is a great price considering how long it lasts, with me using it every day! Definitely a product you can use all year round!

http://www.superdrug.com/Nivea/Nivea-Hydro-Care-Lip-Balm-SPF-15-4-8g/p/223303#.VH7sBTGsUno

Lip Product Number 2: Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick in Sugar Plum (Number 3)

Not only does this lipstick have a great colouring, but it also lasts for ages without the added value of a lip colour lock! I would describe this colour as a rich raspberry mixed with a dusky pinky-red! It really does look amazing on!! I personally don't use a lip liner with this as I apply this colour with a Real Techniques detailer brush. Would definitely recommend!! :)

I think all of the Collection products have amazing prices and this lipstick is no exception, at £2.99, I think it is brilliant!

http://www.superdrug.com/Collection/Collection-Lasting-Colour-Lipstick-4g-Sugar-Plum-3/p/207503#.VH7syzGsUno

For those of you who know me or have read my previous posts will know that I am in love with Collection's Work the Colour Nude Eye Palette but seeing as I have already mentioned a Collection Product, I thought I would mention a different brand!! So, carrying on!!

Eye Product Number 1: NYC Brow/Eye Liner Pencil in 922

NYC's Brow/Eye Liner Pencil in 922 is the perfect two in one pencil for the eyes! I have really dark eyebrows and so it is really good for lightly filling in my eyebrows! I use light feathery strokes in line with the hair to give it a natural look. It is also a great liner that I use along my waterline. To do this, I close one eye at a time and gently run the pencil along the doubled water line. This makes it look darker at the top of your eye, framing it and also giving your lashes a more thicker, fuller look, but not making it look cakey as some liners do!

I can't believe the prices of the products I am telling you about - they are amazing!! At only £1.49, this really is a must have product!!

http://www.superdrug.com/NYC/NYC-Brow-Eye-Pencil-Dark-Brown-922/p/117617#.VH7thDGsUno

Eye Product Number 2: Maybelline New York 'The Falsies' Volumising Mascara in Black Drama

I have never really been one to talk about how much I love a mascara until now!! This mascara has a special shaped wand that scoops up lashes, giving each one a volumised, fuller look! I then turn the brush (which is a concentrated black fibre formula) over and apply lightly to my outer upper lashes to give a better flare at the sides!

At £7.99, this product is the most expensive of the lot, but is still an amazing price!!

http://www.superdrug.com/Maybelline/Maybelline-Falsies-Mascara-Black-Drama/p/839562#.VH7uCzGsUno

Thanks for reading, don't forget to like, comment, follow and +1 and I will be back again tomorrow for more blogmas!! 

Keep it Saph and aim for the stars!

Saph x

Blogmas #1: I'm lovin' Bloglovin'!!

Hi Everyone!

Happy December!!

And yes, that's right - I am doing blogmas!!!
Every day up until Christmas there will be a new post on my site so keep your eyes peeled!

I know I have been away from my blog for some time now but I have been setting things up and trying to make my blog enjoyable for every reader and also me!! :)

I have lots of new blogging ideas and so this is hopefully going to be a really exciting time for sapphirestarsblog.blogspot.co.uk!

Plus, a very exciting announcement: Not just that but you can also follow me on Bloglovin!

Bloglovin, for those of you who are new to blogging, reading or those of you who don't know what I am talking about, Bloglovin is a great platform for bloggers all around the world to connect, follow, like and share blogs from lots of different categories - Art, Fashion, Food, Travel, Beauty and more!!

You can follow me using the link below!!

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/13254425/?claim=cy4gtd56ds5

Thanks guys and remember to keep your eyes peeled (some more!!) for lots more blog posts coming up soon!!

In the meantime, follow me on Bloglovin, like share, comment, and most importantly, Keep it Saph and aim for the stars!

See ya,
Saph x

My Current Favourites!!!

Something a bit new...

Hi guys (and girls!),

So today, I decided that my post was going to be a bit different from normal!! I have been posting all about Summer and what I did in the past, but I decided to give you lovely lovely people some of my current favourite things that I have been loving recently and will continue to love!! 

Sidenote: I am NOT a make-up artist and I haven't been to any classes on how to apply make-up, I just feel the below techniques work for me! 

Okey dokes, let's get started! 

5 Seconds Of Summer - 5SOS - +5 Seconds of Summer 

From Left to Right: Ashton Irwin (Drummer and Vocalist), Calum Hood (Bass Guitarist and Vocalist), Mikey Clifford (Guitarist and Vocalist) and Luke Hemmings (Guitarist and Vocalist)

I am actually listening to 'Amnesia' as I type! Love this song! 

5 Seconds of Summer, for those of you who don't know (and have evidently been living under a rock for the past 3 years) are a four piece band from Australia. Formed of Luke, Calum, Mikey and Ashton (See above for who is who!), the four piece pop-punk, pop-rock band have taken the world by storm, supporting One Direction on both their 'Take Me Home Tour' and the 'Where we Are Tour'. They are also going to be touring the whole of the UK next year - Cannot Wait!!! 

All of them are amazing and I love 'Amnesia', 'English Love Affair', 'Never Be' and 'Beside You' the most but if I had to pick my absolute favourite, it would have to be '18'. The track is so brilliant (here is the link to the youtube audio! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC-Tug_GEXs)

Know you will love it! Let me know!

Feelunique.com - +feelunique.com 

feelunique.com has THE best make-up for such good prices! Urban decay, Rimmel London, Maybelline - all there! It literally has the A-Z with make-up, hair and other general beauty products from Anna Sui through to Zoella Beauty! It is great! I literally spend too much time on this site, but not too much money! There is free worldwide delivery for all orders over £10 and they also give you free samples for orders over £30!

It is so good - I definitely recommend all you girls (and guys!) that love make-up and hair products to go check it out now! If you haven't already, check out my unique (!) discount code on the side and make sure you use it!!

Maybelline New York Dream Pure BB Cream - +Maybelline New York 

When I was initially introduced to BB Cream, I was really sceptical as I am normally using foundation all the time! This BB Cream, you don't understand, IS AMAZING! No other BB Cream from any drugstore I can find is better - there is really good coverage and it goes on really nicely, no orange patches, no flaky skin. Love it! This particular one is for light, oily skin as that is my skin type! There are other shades out there and you can get one for 'Normal' skin too! I got mine from Superdrug for about £7! (Other highstreet stores are available!) It is so good! I love to apply it with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush (see below!) and it is so nice to apply. Plus, it has SPF 15 so it protects your skin too!! No word of a lie, I have actually seen improvements in my skin, with and without this product on, and this is the only new item in my skincare/face make-up routine!

Real Techniques Core Collection - +realtechniques 

Before I start raving about these brushes, I would like to say, if anyone hasn't got these brushes, then I have no idea what is happening! They have saved my make-up life! When it comes to my make-up routine, I normally go for really natural looks, not too much blusher or bronzer so people thought I was stupid getting the Contour Brush in this collection. I love it for highlighting and for adding BB Cream and Concealer to the crevices under and to the side of my nose. I already had a concealer/detailer brush prior to getting this collection and so I use the detailer brush from the Real Techniques collection for eyeshadow - I have never looked back! I love the buffing brush for really working the BB Cream (See above!) into my skin! The pointed foundation brush to conceal under my eyes, along with the contour brush as it works really nicely into the orbital bone (under your eye and under your brow bone). I also use the contour brush and the buffing brush to apply pressed powder as a finishing touch to diminish shine! (See below!) Oh yeah, and before I forget, they also come with a great case that you can stand them up in - brilliant!

Collection Work The Colour Nude Eyeshadow Palette

As I said earlier, I really like natural, nude tones in my make-up collection and this is a great addition to my eyeshadows! With the three columns of colours, you can easily learn to layer them and they are a great way to play around with different looks, without breaking into your carnival colours! ;) The highlighter in column 2 is an added bonus as it really boosts your brow bone! In addition to this, it also has a little step by step guide to applying each layer on the back of the case! It comes with an applicator and even though I used this to start off, I have recently been enjoying using the Real Techniques Detailer Brush, especially in the crease!

Sorry it was such a long post but if you stuck with me this far, please share, recommend and +1 it! 

Thanks again guys!

Remember, keep it Saph and aim for the stars!

See ya soon!

Saph x

13-16 of my 25 Factors of Summer

So, with Summer in full swing, and life being so busy with days out, movie marathons are a great way to spend time with family and/or friends, eat loads of chocolate and watch films without feeling guilty!!

I loved catching up on lots of my old favourites such as Mean Girls and Frozen, but then watching some movies that I have never watched before (don't judge me, but) Wild Child and Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging - no okay, I have never seen it before and yes, I do love it!

I love love love going places with my family and the local Sea Life centre is one of the best places to take young children or just to go to relax! We had a great time and I definitely recommend you go!! Here is the link to their website! http://www.visitsealife.com/ I guarantee you will have a great day, just as I did! Here are some of the photos that I took:

Yes, I realise, the amount of photos here; sorry not sorry!!

The beach is one of my favourite places! Great to relax, meet up with friends and a great place to get a tan (weather permitting!) and the best part; IT'S FREE!! (Minus travel costs - but who's counting!?) Plus, it is a great place to show off some summer fashion and your brilliant new swimwear! Not much else you can say about how great a beach is apart from sea, sand and sun (weather permitting again!)

I have just realised that I am recommending all these great places to go to during summer, but now, it's already fall/autumn (WHET?) Oh well, you can do them next summer!! :D 

Finally on this post, I wanted to add another freebie to the list which is great (yet again) for meeting up with friends, for picnics, larger groups of family who can't always fit round one house!! Plus, it is just great to get outside (just realised how much I have said 'great' during this whole post #sorrynotsorry) and have fun! Whether you are going for a walk, having a picnic or taking a frisbee and football - it is a summer must!! Seeing as there are no autumn/fall recommendations, I'm just going to throw one in now! I love this season as you get to go the park and go a walk in your fab new autumn/fall clothing and you get to kick leaves like kids and collect conkers! SOOOOO recommend this!!!

Anyways! Just realised how long this is! If you have stuck with it til the end, please go share it etc!

In the meantime, keep it Saph and aim for the stars!

See ya,

Saph x