6 Amazing Uses for Coconut Oil

My mum is really the one that introduced me to coconut oil, she was raving about the benefits for months and I just nodded along whilst rolling my eyes thinking 'Oh god, not another craze.' It was only until recently that I actually started to use coconut oil thanks to Tanya Burr's Chocolate Brownie recipe (click here to find).
 Since then, I have discovered more ways in which it can be used and I have found it is so diverse, I could probably list over 100 uses for coconut oil but, without the intention to bore you, below are just some of the best ways to make the most out of your jar!

1. Good dairy-free alternative for butter when used in baking
Coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat, which studies have shown is actually harmless to our bodies. It's also known to have therapeutic properties for brain disorders such as epilepsy or Alzheimer's. You can substitute your butter for coconut oil in baking and in roasting your potatoes too! Yum! This makes a much healthier alternative and adds a little sweetness. It also has a high smoking point!

2. Eye make-up remover
One of the surprising benefits is coconut oil acts like a cleansing balm. It gently removes make-up and residue from your skin whilst softening it at the same time!

3. DIY Body Scrub
When combined with equal part of sea salt or sugar, use to exfoliate and scrub your skin to remove the dead skin cells and prep for tanning. This naturally smells lovely and will leave your skin baby soft!

4. Teeth whitener
The big beauty craze at the moment that seems to be everywhere on the internet is 'Oil Pulling' TOWIE stars and Geordie Shore stars alike are trying this new method of teeth whitening! 
The idea is to swish around the oil in your mouth and pull it through your teeth much like you would do with mouthwash and the oil is supposed to bind with the biofilm on the teeth and reduce the bacteria such as plaque. Coconut is high in lauric acid and is exceptionally good at battling against cavities compared to other methods.

5. Moisturiser
Coconut oil gently softens the skin and is great for psoriasis or eczema. It naturally contains an SPF of 4 so works as a light sun cream, although I wouldn't recommend skipping on the Nivea. It also contains Vitamin E and proteins. This helps skin look rejuvenated and the proteins also contribute to cellular health and tissue repair while vitamin E prevents premature aging.

6. 100% natural conditioner
As well and being moisturising for your skin, coconut oil works in the same way for your hair. Although it may not be a cheaper alternative than just buying a bottle of conditioner from your local shop, most coconut oil that you can purchase will be 100% raw and extra virgin so it doesn't contain any synthetic products or perfumes that you will find in products in the hair care aisle. The proteins in coconut oil will also act to promote hair growth and damage repair.


I could go on but I'm afraid of it reaching a point where I replace all my beauty products with a jar of coconut oil!


A jar usually costs around £5 for 300ml from Waitrose. Click here
However, if you are a Costco member they do a whopping 1500 ml tub. I think it's around the £13 mark but is better value for money and, from experience, it goes a long way.

I have also learnt from my research that coconut oil is good for dogs with allergies not topically but if you give them half a teaspoon a day and gradually increase it. One of my dogs suffers from allergies around this time of the year so I will experiment by giving him a little taster, I think he will go mad for it!

Katie 

x

March Favourites

I'm pretty sure there is a thief out there that steals all your time away from you. I can't believe we are at the end of March already!

I've always wanted to do a monthly favourite so I'm happy it's that time when I finally can!

Below are the things I've really enjoyed in the month of March and I will explain why.

Hair & Beauty favourites:

Charles Worthington Strength & Repair Hair Masque

I bought this hair mask in March due to a botched hair dye that ended up burning my scalp (I know, TMI). I was looking for a hair mask that wouldn't be more damaging to my scalp and had the intention to opt for a scalp treatment but I was scared that would damage it even more as most products like T-gel or Head and Shoulders treat dandruff and that was not my problem. I decided to get this one as I  saw on the label DAMAGED HAIR. That's definitely what I was suffering from. 

This hair mask really has worked wonders and my scalp is on the road to recovery whilst smelling AMAAAZING!

Next up is the nail varnish I have been obsessed with this month. I found this in my local TK Maxx which I didn't even know they sold. This Orly Nail Lacquer is in the colour Kiss the Bride and is perfect for spring. I haven't worn anything else for the last month and I'm sure I won't be getting bored of it any time soon.

Another beauty favourite has been the Maybelline Colour Tattoo Gel Eyeshadows. I have them in the colours Pink Gold and On and On Bronze. These colour blend really well together and are long-lasting. I have been wearing them very often for an everyday smokey look. One problem I do have though is I do like these shades but some other colours in the range like Turqoiuse Forever and Endless Purple are extremely daring and I can only picture them on pantomime dames. However, they are cheap and you get a lot in the pot so I think the neutral colours are worth trying

I have really liked this Garnier Moisture Match Lotion this month too. Where the sun is making more of an appearance, but so has the rain much to my dismay, I need a face cream with an SPF. Although the foundation I wear h

as SPF 15 built in I fell like a definitely need the extra protection as my skin burns and freckles so easily. I usually apply this first thing in the morning then put my foundation on top. This also has an illuminating effect on the skin and reflects light particles making you look brighter and more radiant. This is great for waking up your skin after the long winter months.

Speaking of moisturisers I feel I definitely need to give a shout out to Palmer's Cocoa Butter which has been my saviour this month. I suffer from really dry skin and the occasional eczema and this just really hydrates my skin. It gets rid of that tight feeling you get when its cold out and your skin is drying up. I like to apply this straight after my bath to retain moisture and wake up feeling all silky smooth :)

I buy the fragrance free one as I do find the original scent a bit overpowering and sickly, it also reminds me of getting changed in secondary school after P.E lessons and everyone would be slapping it on. *Dry Heaves*

Favourite Book:

The Queen of the Tearling was such a brilliant read for me. I had seen it mentioned by Tanya Burr and thought it would be worth a read when I saw it on the Kindle Store. The story was very slow-going which gave the impression there will be more books to follow which is a big plus for me because there's nothing I like better than a trilogy.

Although slow, it was very gripping from the first chapter and the story grew even more elaborate as it went on and I was hooked!

I recommend this to anybody, from the title you may have the impression it is quite girly but that is so far from the truth. There is plenty of action and battles that happens throughout but without wanting to spoil the story, it really pushes the boundaries as far as Dystopian novels go.

Favourite food:

For a couple of months I had wanted to find a jar of almond butter as I'm not the biggest fan of peanut butter. This seemed like a better alternative for me so when I stumbled upon it at my local Tesco I was overjoyed.

The only ingredients is Almonds and Sea Salt so very natural and none of the nasty additives. I have enjoyed this with banana on wholemeal toast for breakfast and it gives me the energy I need for the day. As almonds are a source of protein this curbs my hunger for the morning and keeps me going until lunch.

Favourite TV shows:

My ultimate favourite TV show this month has definitely got to be Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. I found this in the Popular section on Netflix and started watching it on a Saturday Afternoon. By Sunday Evening I had watched the whole first season! It's really funny and cheery and I cannot wait for more seasons!!!

Another favourite TV show which is probably in everyone's March favourites for one reason is Pretty Little Liars. Season 6 has just had its season finale and yet again, it has left us asking a hundred and one more questions. WHO IS CHARLES?!

I read a quote somewhere which made me giggle "Pretty Little Liars fans should win an award for the most patient viewers ever!"

It is so true. The amount of times we thought we knew what was going on and something happens that makes you question the whole programme itself! Who is Charles? Who is Bethany? Who am I?! 

When I first started watching it I thought "Ergh, not another innocent eyelash batting teen programme" but then after about 2 episodes I was hooked and needed my daily dose of PLL by the end of every working day.

Favourite YouTuber:

And finally my favourite YouTuber, or should I say YouTubers, has definitely got to be Rhett and Link from the Good Mythical Morning show. It has gotten to the point now where I will put the YouTube playlist on and listen to episode after episode in the car while I'm driving to work. On my lunch break I'll then watch another 3 or 4. Then driving home from work I'll listen to a couple more. That has been my routine for the past few weeks now.

Truth be told, I only discovered GMM around last September. Watching back on old episodes I was kinda upset that I hadn't been watching them since the beginning. I love listening to the guys talk about some of the most random stuff and do funny experiments or challenges. It really does brighten my day and puts some laughter into my morning. I LOVE YOU GUYS!

P.S I'm also looking into purchasing one of their T-shirts from their online store to wear to the gym just coz

Katie 

x

My Top Tips for a Spring Makeover

Spring is the perfect time to go through your make-up collection and have a "spring clean".

I like to have a beauty refresh around this time of year as the weather gets warmer, nights get longer and it is vital to change from the heavy-duty foundation in the winter to the dewy cheeks and coral lips for the summer.

Remember the deep berry toned lipstick you bought back in September for your ultimate autumnal look? Or the midnight black eye shadow you purchased for the perfect wintery night smoky eye? They've most likely lived out their shelf life or just gone past their best before dates. 

So what more of a perfect excuse do you need to go and buy a heck load of new products?!

Bold lips are a BIG statement trend for this spring. It's been seen on the catwalk from the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Zac Posen and Burberry. To really pull this trend off you need to find what colour best suits you, whether it be ruby red, tangerine, fuchsia or electric pink, don't be afraid to go to counters and experiment with different colours or even ask one of the beauty consultants they're always happy to help! The most important rule is to make sure you are comfortable with whatever colour you choose, to fully pull the look off you must be confident and you want to show that. 

Handy tip: Try picking a colour that is blue-toned to give the appearance of brighter, whiter teeth as opposed to an orange-toned colour that can make your teeth look yellow.

Brown eyes are also a big trend in 2015. Think taupe, sand or tan colours for more of a neutral, nude shade. Great brown colours come from the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette. My go to shade out of this collection is the colour 'Faint' I wear this almost every day. These light brown colours suit all eye colours and they are a much better alternative for those who aren't quite so daring to use dark grey or black, making it easier to do the sexy smoky eye look without going to overboard. Brown shades are also rumoured to be great for making you look a few years younger!

Pink Lip gloss is the ultimate staple in my spring make up collection. I like to wear it with lengthening mascara and dewy cheeks to really wake up my daytime look. Some good products I really love are Picnic in the Park by Tanya Burr Cosmetics and Urban Decay's Naked Ultra Nourishing Lip gloss in the colour Love Child  both of these are available from high street shops and have really good long-lasting qualities. 

Purple is also a big colour this season, though I do find it a hard colour to work with. I do not tend to go out of my way to purchase a purple liner or eye shadow but when it comes already included as part of a palette I will try to find a way to use it. A great way to work the purple trend is lightly smoking the colour around your eyelid working as close to the lash line as possible using a small blender brush. This look goes great on people with brown eyes (sorry for you blues or green out there!) If you try this look, don it with a nude lip as to emphasize your eyes to the max.

Handy tip: Try looking for more of a red-toned purple to spice up the look rather than a blue-toned shade, those around me know how I despise a blue cosmetic product although it being my favourite colour. Weird, I know.

Extra Spring Clean Tips:

• Don't be afraid of your freckles! My skin seems to burst with freckles as soon as I walk into the sunlight and I love to wear a lighter less dense foundation so I am able to still see them. Freckles are natural beauty and make it look like you've caught the sun. Embrace the sun kisses but remember the SPF!

• Wash your make-up bag out. Nothings worse than putting all your new products into your make-up bag then pulling them out the next time and they're covered in loose powder and eye-liner smudges from where you've lost the lid- ew!

• Go through your products and ask yourself have I ever worn this? It could be the neon yellow liner you promised yourself to pull off somehow or the orange lipstick that was too bright for your skin tone. If your answer is no its time to part with it my friend.

• Make sure you wash your brushes, sponges and applicators regularly. This won't only minimise the spread of bacteria but they'll also last you a lot longer!

Katie 

x

Check out my last post: Make yourself into a morning person

Make Yourself Into a Morning Person!

My sleeping pattern over the past few years has been very up and down. The major contributing factor is work.

I have managed to turn myself from a night-owl into a morning person and it really wasn't that hard after all and I feel so much better for it. I now wake up before 8.30am on the weekend without the need of an alarm and I feel accomplished in a way and wake up with a motivation to make the most of my day.

For those who struggle to get out of bed before noon there are some steps you are able to take to change this bad habit!

1. Catch some more Zzz's 

Yes, it really is that simple. Go to sleep earlier wakeup earlier. That way you're not missing out on any of the hours that you usually have.

I used to work in a bar which meant late nights and my body really suffered from it. I was sleeping from about 2am till 11am then as soon as I got a job working in an office I had to change it to 10pm-6.30am I was still getting roughly the same amount of hours and my body quickly adapted.

2. Listen to your body. 

Now I usually get tired around 9.30pm. This is the time of the night where I've already eaten my dinner, gone to the gym, had my bath and I am settling down to watch multiple episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (my favourite new series - I really recommend!). 

At this point in the evening I'm really relaxed, my eyes are starting to droop and I'm yawning repeatedly- basically I'm done for the day! When this happens I don't ignore it like most others. I know when my head hits the pillow I'll be out for the night. So I do. My morning self thanks me for doing this every time. If I push through the tiredness so I can watch the new episode of Family Guy or read to the end of the chapter in a book my morning self really hates me for it an I'll find myself reaching for the extra cup of coffee to keep me going through work.

3. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

5 minutes at night will save you 10 in the morning. I like to prepare for the next day the evening before by setting out my clothes I will wear the following day, I'll also pack my handbag with the things I'll require, that way you'll end up dressing nicer for work as your not diving through your dirty laundry basket looking for a clean pair of tights!

Even leaving a bottle of water and snack to grab on the go on your bedside table saves you time hunting for something to eat in the morning if you need to rush out first thing. This allows you more time to shower, apply make up and pack your lunch.

Handy tip: When you have a lot left over from a meal divide it into small containers and put in the freezer. That way if you take it out the night before to defrost you have an already packed lunch ready for the next day!

4. Don't abuse the snooze

I am a firm believer in getting up when I wake up. Hand on heart, I haven't hit the snooze button for about 2 years now.  I find with using the snooze button, its even harder getting out of bed when it eventually comes to the point where you do, in fact, NEED to get up.

As soon as I hear that alarm go off I am on my feet and don't give myself  the opportunity to convince myself a few extra minutes wont do any harm. 

Handy tip: Once you are up, make your bed. That way you're less likely to climb back into it because you don't want to disturb the pillow arrangement or that fluffy throw from Primark which is surprisingly so soft!

5. Get a cool environment

No I don't mean having that rock band poster above your bed or getting a better feng shui with a bonsai tree on your bedside table. I mean switching off the heat or even opening the window a crack. Sleeping in a cool room promotes better sleep as you're not waking in the middle of the night due to overheating therefore, you're waking up more refreshed from having a good, restful sleep.

5. Treat yourself to beat that morning slump

 I enjoy having a special coffee or breakfast treat in the morning. It entices me and motivates me to get up early so I have time to take that trip to Starbucks for my skinny, extra hot toffee nut latte. Even if you buy an extra special jar of coffee to have for your morning brew you will be more to get out of bed to make it. This will set you right for the day as you'll go to school or work with a bit of extra happiness and spring in your step.

6. Know when to nap

I'm not really one for naps but my boyfriend is and on many occasions I have called him only to realise I've woken him from one of his naps. Many other people out there do take a quick snooze during the afternoon as it can be refreshing and give an extra energy boost, but taking a nap for too long can be more harmful. Taking a quick snooze for 20 minutes in the afternoon is recommended for those who find they need the energy boost but if adults sleep for about an hour or perhaps longer throughout the day this just harms their sleeping pattern in the evening and they'll find they are more tired.  

Aim for 20-30 minutes if you know you're in for a late night to reap the beneficial effects and avoid that groggy feeling.

I hope some of these tips work for you night owls out there, they certainly have for me!

Katie 

x

Check out my last post: What Miranda Hobbes Taught Us