What I've Been Loving #50: The Finale

Thursday, February 25, 2016
Welcome to the final post of What I’ve Been Loving - it’s been a long ride hasn’t it? Spanning over two years and fifty posts, WIBL has been filled with all the beauty goodies that have given me joy since I posted the first edition in January 2013. Well, all good things must come to an end, and for me this series has run its length. But, fret not! There will be a favourites-based replacement once I figure out what format I want it to take, it will just be separate from the WIBL tag. Enough chit chat - let’s take a look at the products that are featured in the last ever WIBL…

Kat Von D Everlasting Lipstick in ‘Lolita’ (US$20):  
OH MY GOD this is gorgeous. When the lovely Beth asked me if I wanted any makeup from America whilst she was over there, this was at the top of my list. Why they don’t sell these in the UK yet is beyond me. ‘Lolita’ is probably a shade that I didn’t need because I already have so many similar colours, but my god is it stunning. The formula is super light feeling and isn’t too drying, as far as liquid lipsticks go, anyway, and it fades fairly evenly. As soon as I find a way to get my hands on a few more shades, it’s game on!
Contouring has always eluded me - having a 'fuller' face makes things a bit trickier and powder simply wasn't cutting it, so I decided that it was about time to step my game up and get a cream contour. My hunt led me far and wide, but in the end, I decided on this cream contour kit from Anastasia simply because it offers three shade sets (mine is in fair, but they also have light, medium and dark) and within those sets, they offer 6 different colours to use. Long story short, it's given me a lot to play with, so I feel more comfortable with my contouring now!

When I smelt this in store, I threw it in my basket before I even checked the price. I know that pretty much all hand creams smell amazing, but there's something about this one that's just so familiar to me. Maybe it reminds me of my trip to India and all of the gorgeous smells I encountered there? I don't know, but it's amazing and that's all there is to it! 

What have you been loving lately?

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Just to let you know, this is an exception - there won't be any posts now until my relaunch on the 19th March. Like I talked about in my last post, I just wanted to round this up to the fiftieth post before ending the series, and I didn't have time to do that before I took my months break, so here it is!
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Time for a new chapter...

Friday, February 19, 2016
Today, 19th February 2016 marks the beginning of a month-long blogging break* for I.R. Well, when I say 'break', I mean a break from uploading new content, but I certainly won't be resting for a single second. See, 19th March will be the fifth anniversary of my little blog's birthday, and to mark the occasion I'm going to be relaunching a brand spankin' new Isobel Rose - a 2.0 of sorts that is currently being reconceptualised and reworked ready for a fabulous relaunch! (Say re again?) This break in releasing new content will enable me to really sort through what I've been doing over the last five years and identify what works for me and what doesn't, as well as refocus my ideas and energy into something that I'm 100% happy with. So, I'll be a bit quiet around these parts, but still as active as ever on social media, so if you miss my witty personality too much (!!) then makes sure to check out my Twitter, Facebook Page, Instagram and Pinterest. As part of the rebrand, I've actually divided up my Instagram and Twitter accounts so that I now have accounts for both my blog and personal use. Feel free to follow both, and just to help you out, if you're already following one then it is my blog's account! Links for my personal twitter and instagram accounts are here.

So, I guess that's it! Keep your eyes and ears open for changes and updates, and I'll see you all very shortly with a whole new I.R!

*I still have a WIBL post to go up between now and the relaunch, so that will be an exception!


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What I've been loving #49

Thursday, February 18, 2016
Apologies for the double dose of WIBL, but I'm trying to wrap up the series at its 50th post before things start to change around here. I'll also be posting the final installment most likely within the week, but hey - who doesn't love a good WIBL post? Plus, I've got a handful of new favourites to share in no. 50, so make sure to stick around for that! But, let's not get ahead of ourselves...

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Matte Lipstick in L'amoureuse (£25)
This is my ultimate 'sophisticated' lipstick - the luxury packaging plus the matte-but-not-too-matte formula that glides on and stays put without all of the moisture being sucked out of your lips is a complete winner. Long story short, this makes me feel fancy, and isn't that what you want from a lipstick?

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Dim Infusion (£28)
I often forget about this little gem because, due to its lightness, it only really works nicely on me when I'm at my palest during the winter months. These blushes are super soft and incredibly easy to work with, but can use with building up a bit to really get a good colour payoff. Despite this, this shade is gorgeous and will look fabulous as we approach the summer months. 

bareMinerals Round the Clock Eyeliner in 7 pm (£15)
I spoke about another one of bareMineral's amazing liners a few posts back, and this brown shade from their Round the Clock range is just as sensational. The colour is rich, the payoff is amazing, the range is extensive, and the lasting power is phenomenal - what more could you want in an eyeliner?

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lip Liner in Pink Princess (£4.99)
An awful name for a gorgeous shade; Pink Princess is more of a pink-nude than a colour that you would associate with its title. Often underlooked, Max Factor does some splendid products, and their lipliners are definitely amongst some of the best - and they're super cheap. I haven't tried any other shades from the line yet, but be sure that if I'm after a new lipliner, this line will be one of the first ones I check.

What have you been loving lately? 

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What I've Been Loving #48

Wednesday, February 10, 2016
NARS And God Created the Woman Palette (£35):
An oldie but a goodie, this palette is perfect for everyday use. As you can see, I've made quite a dent in perhaps my favourite colour of the lot - Kalahari I, which is a cool-toned taupe brown from the Kalahari Eyeshadow Duo. The whole palette is great; the darker colours, Night Clubbing and Coconut Grove, are super pigmented and make for a great eyeliner, and the matte taupe, Bellisima II, works well on my eyebrows. The palette has been rereleased since I purchased this, but although it looks different, the shades are all the same but in a different order! Along with the palette, you also get a sample size of the Pro-Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base, as well as a travel size Wide Contour Brush #43 - it's quite a deal.

Maybelline Master Drama Eyeliners in Brownie Glitz, Rose Pearl, and Pearly Taupe (£4.49):
Whilst browsing the aisles of Boots the other day - as one does - I stumbled across some amazing eyeliners from Maybelline that have, quite frankly, blown my mind. The apply really smoothly because they have such a creamy texture, but they dry within the minute and, once set, are unmovable. Seriously - their staying power is unreal. Plus, they come is some really pretty colours.

MAC Cremeblend Blush in Lilicent [LE] (£18.50):
Although I've never been a huge fan of cream blushes, for some reason Lilicent screamed to be worn the other day and I was reminded just how gorgeous it is. Although MAC cream blushes appear to have quite a thick and sticky texture, they are actually pretty easy to work with, and this particular shade really compliments my paler complexion. I'm a big fan.

What have you been loving lately? 
I x
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Isobel Cooks: Oat, Pear and Raspberry Loaf

Monday, February 8, 2016
The other day we spoke about some killer sportswear that I've been donning lately, and today I've decided to balance all of that healthiness out with one of my absolute favourite recipes. So, not only do I want to promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle to my lovely readers (!) but I also think that everyone's Monday can stand to be brightened, and what better way to do that than to present you with a gorgeous cake-like recipe? Now, this is by no means my own recipe - it's a recipe from Bill Granger's 'Bill's Open Kitchen' that I have cooked a bunch of times though usually I end up winging a bit so feel free to experiment a bit! I hope you enjoy it... 

INGREDIENTS:

For the topping:
(you may need more or less of this depending on preference, but it's easy to make!)
18 g (1/8 cup) rolled old-fashioned oats
28 g (1/8 cup) brown sugar
1 tablespoon plain all purpose flour
1 tablespoon of chilled butter, cut into small pieces
For the loaf:
100 g (1 cup) rolled oats
375 ml (1 cup) boiling water
150g (5.5oz) unsalted butter, diced
115g (1/2 cup) brown sugar
55g (1/4 cup) fine granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
185g (1.5 cups) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tin of tinned pears (you probably won't need them all, just add as desired)
120g (1 cup) raspberries, fresh or frozen

Method:

For the topping:
Add all of the ingredients for the topping into a bowl, and rub the butter into the oats, sugar, and flour until you produce a crumble-like texture. Set to the side.
For the loaf:
1. Preheat your oven to 180 c and prepare the topping by using the instructions above.
2. Place the oats in a bowl and add the boiling water, putting them to the side to soak.
3. Cream the butter and sugar until creamy. 
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition.
5. Add the vanilla extract.
6. Combine the salt, flour, and baking soda and sift it into the mix. 
7. Drain the oats before adding them to the mix as well. Fold them in.
8. Spread 1/3 of the mixture into a greased/non-stick loaf pan, and add a layer of both fruits on top. 
9. Add the second third and repeat with the fruit (use as much or as little as you want - this may require a bit of experimentation!)
10. Add the final layer of the mixture, making sure to cover all of the fruit layer. Sprinkle with the previously prepared topping (again, amount used is up to personal preference)
11. Bake for approximately 1 hour 20 minutes - the centre should still be slightly gooey but only just.
12. Leave to cool, and enjoy with a nice cup of tea!

So, there you have it! A scrumptious and easy recipe that'll see you through 'till the weekend! Let me know if you end up trying it - I'd love to hear what you think of it!

I x
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An M&S Gym Haul

Friday, February 5, 2016
Some fancy new fitness wear from M&S
Along with a whole bunch of others out there, my new years 'resolutions' included something health/fitness related, which in turn prompted me to feel an instant need to refresh my workout wardrobe. Lucking, M&S is doing its job right and released a brand spankin' new fitness line that coincided with this nation-wide need to hit the gym following a flurry of post-Christmas guilt. Despite the more 'mature' image that M&S is often perceived to have, they have been a long time favourite of mine for all sorts of bits because their products are always extremely well made, affordable, and easily accessible - all qualities that my newly acquired gym wear possesses. 

Some fancy new fitness wear from M&S
This Girl Can shirts - link, Grey joggers - link, Black joggers - link, This Girl Can hoodie - link, Sports bra set - link
A lot of the stuff I picked out was made in collaboration with the This Girl Can campaign, not only because it makes me feel all sassy and motivated, but also because it's a great campaign that celebrates and motivates active women. This stuff is seriously comfy, and dare I say it... stylish. There's honestly nothing that gets me more in the mood to kick some ass than slipping into some brand new gym gear. I don't know what it is, but as soon as I put on the new hoodie I purchased, I feel all streamlined and ready to take on the world, one squat at a time. It's all well and good going to the gym, but if you've got some old, five-year-old t-shirt with holes in it on then you're much less likely to get revved up to have a great workout, don't you agree? 

Where is your favourite place to buy gym wear? What do you think of M&S's new line? Let me know!

I x
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recently...

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Exploring my city:

Having some time living at home whilst I sort my shit out has meant that I've had a lot more time and freedom to explore my hometown. Although I was born in the outskirts of London, I moved away when I was only eight years old, so there's still so much about London that I don't know, so many places yet to explore. The other week, whilst trying to fill my days, I dragged my Mum up on the train to The City and made my inaugural trip to the Museum of London to see an exhibition called The Crime Museum Uncovered, which takes a look at never-before publicised objects from the Metropolitan Police's Crime Museum, some of which date back to its establishment in the late 1800's. It was quite a small exhibition, but interesting nonetheless! Afterwards, we did a little shopping and indulged in a spot of lunch before getting back on the train at London Cannon Street. Despite the fact that I know little pockets of London like the back of my hand, it still amazes me just how much I have yet to explore, and planning little day trips like this is exactly the right way to go about it - I can't wait until my next one!

Getting the creative juices flowing:

My blog has really been playing on my mind recently; I've concluded that I either need to really dive into the process of reorganising (and possibly rebranding) this space, or continue as I am, sulking over my static, uninspiring existence. No matter how much you deny it, there does seem to be a certain 'winning formula' to creating a successful online presence; I don't necessarily agree with it, but if I need to follow some of the guidelines set out by my predecessors, then that's what I'm going to do. However, I would rather sit here as I am than give up my individuality, so I plan to counteract whatever changes I decide to make to get Isobel Rose growing again with even more personality - we'll see how that goes... Basically, I need to kick this shit into gear, so hopefully things will be changing around here soon!

Amsterdam, baby.

The 24th marked my little sister's 21st Birthday, and since everyone came to visit me for my 21st when I was living in Madrid, we decided to go on a little weekend away - she chose to visit Amsterdam. As a first-time visitor to the wonderful city that is Amsterdam, I was blown away by its architecture and its whimsical charm. The photographer in me went wild, amassing nearly 400 photos in the 3 days we spent there, of the picturesque canals and the quaint leaning houses that make up the centre of the city. Despite the wet and windy climate (not too dissimilar to the one I'd left at home...) I couldn't get enough of wandering the streets, exploring a city that felt completely alien and fascinating to me.  Above is one of the many, many photos that I snapped along the way, but I'm already drafting up a photo diary to publish on my travel blog, so I'll let you know when that's live so that you can nosey to your hearts content! 

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So, there you have it, that's what I've been getting up to recently! Do you like this kind of post? I'm currently in the process of trying to streamline my content, so any feedback is welcome! 

What have you been up to recently? Please, share below! 

I x
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