The Riverside Grill - Bedford

I went out for a meal to the Riverside Grill with my family and it's safe to say we were very impressed. Each of us had a meal that we liked (this doesn't happen very often) and at a very affordable price. Looking at the restaurant, menu and presentation of the food  yo wouldn't think this is an affordable place but it is. Check out their website:  The Riverside Grill . Although there were numerous christmas parties and birthdays taking place, this didn't effect our service at all. 

The food was fab and was loaded with flavour. The top plate is the Giant King Prawns which my sister had. I have never in my life seen prawns this big, it's crazy. 

Below that is the grilled goats cheese and penne which was really tasty. It had so much flavour and the cheese definitely did it justice. It came with olives which I bravely tried but I'm still not too sure about them. They're definitely something I'd have to eat with something else. 

On the top plate of the middle picture are the fishcakes of the day. These were huge so mum ended up sharing. They were not bland at all which some tend to be and were perfectly cooked. The chips  they came with were really good. They weren't smothered in salt but still had an amazing flavour.

The Three Smoked burger on the bottom plate was very very hot so don't underestimate it! It was too spicy for me as I couldn't taste much after trying some but my dad thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. 

Last but not least is dessert!! My favourite course and the one I look forward to the most. 9 times out of 10 I look at the dessert menu first. The dessert on the top left is rhubarb crumble, on the right is the Belgium chocolate and raspberry tart and the bottom is the warm cookie and ice cream sandwich. My mum and sister enjoyed theirs however the one and only criticism I would have about mine (warm cookie and ice cream sandwich) was that the cookie wasn't warm so I was a bit disappointed about that but it still tasted amazing and was beautifully set out. 

I would definitely recommend visiting and I will definitely be returning

Amy x

#ChristmasBloggerBoxShare

There's a first time for everything and this christmas was the first time I was involved in a box share. I was paired up with the lovely Mei Mei and had a budget of £10 to spend. I chose to buy her products that I thought she would like after reading a few posts and scrolling back through her instagram posts. It was so nice to chat to a blogger and get to know them, so I am really glad I got involved. If you would like to find out more about it, use the hash tag #ChristmasBloggerBoxShare

I opened my package up to find the cutest stocking! As well as the gifts were lots of little maltesers which I had to try not to eat before taking the pictures for this post.

In the stocking were 2 face masks which will definitely replenish my skin after all this wind we've had recently in the UK. There's just something about face masks that really relax me so I can't wait to have a pamper evening. Along with the face masks I also received some hand sanitizer. This for me is a handbag essential so will definitely go to good use. Mei Mei had also chosen some hand cream which will help me keep my hands soft during this cold weather. 

I also received some fluffy socks which are adorable. I literally live in fluffy socks so these are perfect. My room has the tendency to be freezing so these will definitley keep me cozy. 

When I first opened the stocking it smelt soo good so I knew there was something scented in there. At the bottom were these 2 yankee candles!! I received Christmas Treats and Merry Berry from Mei Mei which I love, I have recently been looking to buy some but had no clue which ones to choose so I am so excited to finally have some. I will definitely need to be stocking up on these soon.

I would just like to thank Becky and Ren for creating the BloggerBoxShare and I'm so glad I got involved, thanks again to Mei Mei 

Check out Mei Mei's Blog, Instagram and Twitter below
meimeisays
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Amy x

20 things to do this Christmas

Christmas is my favourite time of year to make plans and take part in festivities. So I have 20 things you could do in the run up to christmas:

1)  Go ice skating

2)  Attend a christmas market

3)  Go to winter wonderland

4)  Have a christmas movie day

5)  Save a day to put up the decorations

6)  Bake festive treats

7)  Drive around to look at the christmas lights

8)  Organise a secret santa

9)  Go christmas shopping

10) Go out for a christmas meal with friends

11) Eat lots of chocolate

12) Meet up with family and friends

13) Buy/wear a christmas jumper

14) Help those less fortunate enjoy christmas

15) Wrap presents

16) Buy a christmas CD and turn it up!

17) Visit London

18) Get an advent calendar (if you've not got one already)

19) Go to a christmas light switch on

20) Build a gingerbread house

What are your fave things to do around christmas?

Amy x

How to look after your skin with the changing weather

This is the time of year when our skin becomes dry and spots start appearing. I try to prevent this before it happens but I'm the worst when it comes to a routine.

Firstly you need to drink enough water. Im 100% a hypocrite but it definitely helps wash away unwanted toxins, clearing your skin leaving it soft, hydrated and cleansed. A decent diet may also benefit your skin as well as prepare you for the mountains of chocolate christmas throws at you.

Secondly I would invest in a good moisturiser. I use Simples moisturiser, although not a high end moisturiser it works perfectly for me and I've never had any problems with it. There are products for breakouts but I rarely use them as I don't see the point in using products if my skin is clear. Freederm daily complex is the product I reach for when they do appear. It makes a different over night and has always reduced the size and redness of breakouts. However I find my skin becomes reliant on products when using them everyday and if I don't use it once, my skin feels terrible, so I try to keep my skin routine to a minimum. I'd rather get to bed earlier so stick to make up wipes nearly every night. I know its bad and others would gasp in horror but it doesn't work for everyone.

Lip Balm! I've never been a huge fan but due to the cold weather recently my lips have dried up over night so now I know I need to keep on top of this. Lush do lip scrubs which are fab for getting rid of dead skin, leaving them really soft. I also use vaseline as it's moisturising and makes such a difference after one use. 

Hand cream is also a good product to apply thickly just before bed to refreshen dry and cracked hands. Dream Cream from lush is amazing and isn't just a hand moisturiser but full body too. This product doesn't leave skin feeling greasy so can be used whenever.

Stress is a huge problem when it comes to skin. It makes my skin sooo so dry and spotty. To reduce stress I order my workload in a diary so I can clearly see what I have to do and tick it off when it's done. I also keep a calendar for social events, if its not on there, its not happening. This way I can't forget anything and it allows me to work towards dates, keeping my school and social life separate whilst staying stress free

Amy x

The Secret - Rhonda Byrne

This isn't your normal pick up and get into a good story and not one I'd normally reach for but when a friend at work said it was amazing and really helped her become more positive I decided I ought to give it a read.

The book and the film were both released in 2006 after Rhonda Byrne discovered a great secret after a series of traumatic events. She includes teachers and some of the world leaders of business, economics, medicine, psychology, history, theology and science. She also writes about real life stories of people who have changed their lives by using the secret. Examples are eradicating disease, gaining a large fortune, overcoming obstacles and achieving the impossible. This book shows you how to use the secret in every area of life, from health to wealth, success and relationships.

If you like an easy read I wouldn't recommend reading this. Although it's not a long book some parts really do make you think. I felt I had to read quite far in to actually understand some bits but thats probably just me. I agree with some parts but don't with others but it's all down to individual interpretation and experience. There are many reviews as to whether it actually works and it didn't for me but I don't think it matters. It definitely helps you to focus on what you want and to think more positively so for me this is a successful read 

Amy x

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Dubai lookbook

I didn't take pictures specifically for a blog post but I thought I'd incorporate it with what I did on my holiday. It was so hot most of the time was spent inside but if any of you have been to Dubai or countries with similar cultures you'll know that people there aren't used to seeing women uncovered so I tried to cover up to avoid all the stares. This was mine and my boyfriends first holiday together so we packed in as many things as possible.

So firstly we went to the shopping mall and went bowling. I wore an off the shoulder top from primark £3.00 (It also comes in white) with loose high waisted trousers from a shop in dragon mart.

This picture is of us in the biggest sweetshop in the world that's located in Dubai Mall. I'm wearing a miss selfridge crop top (£8), zara trousers (£25.99) and topshop sandals (£30).

Next is me on the podium at ferarri world wearing a white topshop shirt (£10), black shorts and mint green vans. 

The day we went to Alain zoo and up the mountain was by far the hottest day but  I still had to make sure I was covered properly so I wore a pashmina over my shoulders too. The top was from new look  as were the sandals (£15?) and the trousers were from Dorothy Perkins (£5).

In the picture below we went up the Burf Khalifa (the tallest building in the world). I was wearing a white lace dress from Topshop with my brown Topshop sandals (£30) along with my pashmina and Michael Kors handbag.

I look like such an idiot in this picture and have no clue why I was looking at the camera in this pose but I was. Here we were on a boat which travelled along the creek as we had dinner.  I was wearing a Miss Selfridge top (£10) and my black shorts with my black new look sandals.

This final picture is from our two year anniversary. Callum took me to the Burj al Arab for afternoon tea. If you get the opportunity I would 100% recommend going. The seven courses were amazing and I really hope one day I have the opportunity to go again. Here i'm wearing a red dress from Zara (£15.99) and chunky sandals from Primark (£10).

I hope this gives some ideas and inspiration for other peoples holidays even if most people have already been on theirs

Amy x

August Empties

I do apologise for the lack of posts over the past couple of weeks but our wifi has just decided to stop working.  My next post planned was my holiday lookbook but I haven’t been able to get the pictures so that will be up in the near future.

So lets get on with todays post, My August Empties. It normally takes me ages to finish a product as I use a product until its finished and then replace it with a new alternative. As I’m the only one using them it takes a while so I thought before I forget and throw everything away I best do this post.

The first product I finished was the Superdrug Pro Vitamin silky smooth shampoo (£?). At first this made my hair a little greasier quicker than normal as it has argan oil in it and I rarely use conditioner or any other products because I have THE thinnest hair in the universe. But after a few washes my hair adjusted to the shampoo and it made my hair feel soft and replenished which is definitely what it needed. My hair now looks and feels a lot healthier.

Secondly is the Original Source shower gel (Normally £2.30, Now £1). A little goes a long way so this lasted ages! I love the smell and they have so many different ones there will 100% be one you’ll like.

Then there's the Freederm Daily Complex (£7.30). I love this stuff! I definitely saw a difference after the first use and as my skin cleared up I stopped using it until needed. Time and time again it did its job and reduced the redness and size of spots. If you apply foundation directly after applying this it doesn’t give the best finish. So I suggest you let it sink in properly first. Once it’s sunk in foundation looks beaut. Sometimes mixing it with foundation gave a more natural no make up make up look and lightens foundation.

Another product was the Johnson's make up be gone clear skin wipes (£3.05? from Superdrug). To be honest I didn’t notice they improved my skin but they didn’t cause any breakouts and removed the majority of my make up. They did fairly well to not dry out considering they were in an air conditioned room.

Next is the peroxide solution from Specsavers. I get through so many of these as I wear contacts near enough everyday. The only downfall to this product is that if it doesn't dilute properly. I found this out when I had a faulty pot as every time I put my contacts in my eyes stung and felt like they were burning. But this product does clean them thoroughly so my contacts last the whole month.

My recent foundation empty is Benefits Hello Flawless (£26.50). This is probably one of the best colour matches that I've found as well as the powder so they've done well with that however I'm not a lover of dewey foundation as by the end of the day it's almost dewey anyway so this wasn't the perfect foundation for me.

Last is one of my all time fave products and one of many finished and that is Batiste shampoo (around £3). This is amazing and helps give volume and save my hair for one more day without washing. The mini ones are fab to keep in your bag or take on holiday to save space but these big ones are great to keep at home as they last for ages.

Amy x