February Faves

Happy Tuesday! I am back with my February favourites for you all, and I'm even managing to get them up just before the end of the month, I am impressed with myself haha! 

Now Bella isn't featured as a favourite in this post, she's not a monthly fave, she's a forever favourite but I decided to put a picture of her in this post anyway because 1. I love her and 2. she seems to love the first item in this month's favourites post too! 

H&M Pink Faux Fur Hood Padded Jacket 

I had been waiting for this coat to go on sale after I had seen it on Haley from Sequins & Things during her European Winter travels and she had told me it was surprisingly warm. When it finally went on sale I ordered it straight away, and I got an extra £5 off because I took a bag of old clothes into H&M. 

Haley was right, this coat is so so warm, and it has been perfect this month as it keeps getting colder and colder. The first reason I fell in love was because it was the perfect shade of pink for a coat and the second was the faux fur lined hood, it's super soft! I got my normal size (a UK8 / US4) and I can fit some thick layers under it, I tried on the size smaller too and could have gone for that if I hadn't wanted to layer so much underneath.  

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

I have been using this cuticle cream for quite a few years now, but when I moved I had left my tin at home and only remembered to pick it up at Christmas. My cuticles had been super dry this winter and I noticed a huge difference when I started using this again, I have had very few hangnails to pick at since (a really bad habit of mine)! This cream also smells so yummy, it's super lemony.  

Personalised CaseApp iPhone Case {save 20% with the code 'FIVEMINUTE20'}

Last year I got to team up with CaseApp and design my own phone cases and I have been waiting for Spring to arrive so I could switch out my winter one. Let's just say I only held out until the end of January before I switched to this one, I was hoping it might encourage the warmer weather, but no such luck yet. I designed it so it would pair perfectly with the dress I made myself, which I can't wait to start wearing again once summer is here. 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream 

I think it was a few years ago now when I started using First Aid Beauty products and they are one of the few things that I keep repurchasing! I had been using a big tub of this Ultra Repair Cream until it ran out and luckily I found this smaller tube in my stash of goodies I had been saving for travel. This one is nearly gone too now so I will have to get another tub soon. I love quite a few products from the First Aid Beauty Line and there are still some I would love to try out. One of the newer products I started using last year might make an appearance in a faves post in the near future. 

Wicklein Do It Yourself Lebkuchen

This is a bit of a random one, but I love food, especially sweet treats so it makes sense they'll pop up in my favourites from time to time. Gingerbread has been a longtime favourite of mine and I especially like all the German gingerbread goodies that appear around Christmas. I found this kit on clearance in T.K Maxx and I am very glad that I picked up two of them. I made the first one the other weekend, after spending ages translating the instructions as they were only in German and finding out I had to leave the mixture to sit for 3 hours, I finally got to try one and they were 100% worth the wait! If you love ginger and hazelnuts you will love these. 

eos Coconut Milk Lip Balm 

So my last favourite from February is this eos lip balm. I am a sucker for pretty packaging so I have always loved the sphere shape of these lip balms. I had a lemon one a long time ago that I was sent from the States and have wanted to get another one for my handbag since, the only problem is that they are pretty expensive here in the UK for what they are and I don't have the money to drop that many pounds on a lip balm. So you can imagine I jumped for joy when I found some in T.K Maxx. They had mint and this coconut milk one, and since I loved coconut and pink is my favourite colour, I went for this one. I love this even more than the lemon one I had. It has kept my lips super moisturised through the winter months. I would have been sad when this ran out as I haven't seen then in T.K Maxx since but luckily Santa did and left me another in my Christmas stocking. Thanks Santa!

I hope you are liking these favourite posts and I'd love to know what are you are loving this month too, so leave your current favourite products in the comments below. 

SHOP FEBRUARY FAVES

Weekends At Home

Free People Cardigan via BrandAlley  // Forever 21 Tank // Old Navy Jeans

There is no place I love more than home, and as much as I love getting out at the weekends sometimes I just want to stay in curled up with my little Bella. I tried so hard to get her to sit for some pictures but she is far too smart to be fooled by some treats hehe.
Also can we talk about this cardigan for a second? It's called the Saturday Morning cardigan, but I think it should be called the all weekender or maybe even the all week long cardigan. I'd seen it a while back and really wanted to purchase it but with the price tag I just couldn't justify it at the time. Luckily I found it on sale at BrandAlley, a flash sale site that has up to 80% off designer brands and goods. You have to hurry though because each sale doesn't last long. Unfortunately their Free People sale is over now but don't worry BrandAlley has plenty more sales happening right now and you can still snap this cozy cardigan up on sale here too. 

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Insta Outfits

Nordstrom Tee // Ily Mix Scarf 

Free People Tee // Fat Face Hat // Gorjana Ring 

Tobi Top // Nordstrom Hat // Ily Mix Scarf 

Abercrombie & Fit Sweatshirt 

Old Navy Tee // Ily Mix Scarf

SS print Shop Sweatshirt

Abercrombie Cami // H&M Cardigan (old) // Old Navy Jeans 

Abercrombie Pullover // H&M Coat 

Nordstrom Top // Primark Cardigan // Old Navy Jeans // Old Navy Bag//

DKNY Watch // Baublebar Ring

Just a quick round up for you of some outfits I have worn recently. I'm slowly trying to ease into Spring pieces even though it is still freezing! Be sure to follow me on Instagram @spark1988 where I share more of my daily looks! 

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Waffle Knit Dress

Tobi Dress c/o // AG Jeans 

Happy Tuesday! I would normally do a whole week of Valentine's inspired posts but this year I haven't baked or crafting anything for Valentines, it seems to have crept up from nowhere.

I also haven't shared too many pictures of my house on the blog yet so I decided as it was miserable and cold outside I'd shot this look in my kitchen and give you a little peek. It's the only room in the house that has any Valentine's themed decor in at the moment. We still have some little finishing touches to add to kitchen that we will get round to at some point I hope! 

I've been wearing a lot of pink shades this month and this dusky pink swing dress from Tobi (yes dress but I'm tall and it's been cold so I wore it as a tunic) is made from a cozy waffle knit fabric so it's perfect to wear on a chillier day  and can be dressed down like I have or you could add a pair of heels, a leather jacket and a clutch bag and you are ready for a date night. 

Good Morning Beautiful

Tobi Sweater Dress c/o // LC Lauren Conrad Leggings // Original Penguin Socks //

Asda Mug 

Happy Friday Everybody. Well we made it through another week and I am more than looking forward to this weekend, I don't have many plans but I can't tell you how excited I am about that and having some time to relax. Lately I have been feeling so exhausted and constantly tired so I am trying to make some more time for relaxing and starting the weekend mornings a little slower.

You know I love a good cozy sweater and this one (which can also be worn as a dress, it was just a little too cold for me to do that right now) is a beautiful shade of blush pink, my favourite. I have found so many cozy affordable pieces over at Tobi recently, and this is another one that was on sale. It's so perfect to throw on in the mornings while I drink my coconut latte in bed and give my body a chance to wake up properly. I hope all you have a wonderful weekend! 

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January Faves

I have been thinking of doing a monthly favourites post for a while now and finally decided to take the plunge. I love reading and watching them on Youtube and while I'd love to a video as I think they are way more personal and give you a better feel for the products, I don't think you'll find me in front of a video camera anytime soon haha! 

So each month, the towards the end or like this at the start of the following month I am going to a share a round up of my favourite things from the month, anything from beauty products to snacks and books! If you guys enjoy them that is. So let's see what I was loving in January shall we?! 

Philosophy Amazing Grace & Pure Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gels

I have loved Philosophy's 3 in 1 shampoo, bath and shower gels for a long time now, but they would normally be out of my monthly budget and are more of an indulgence. I lucked out and found these on the clearance stand in Boots for just £5 each!! I almost ran to the tills I was so excited. I hadn't  tried anything from the Grace range before but I am loving both of these fragrances and these were a special treat for some pampering during the end of these winter months. I haven't ever tried using these as a shampoo before but I might try out the Pure Grace on my hair as it has such a clean fresh scent, and for anyone that wonders if these bubble up, I can confirm these will give you a very bubbly bath. 

Carmen CC Design Pet Portrait

I think this has to be my top fave from January! I received this gorgeous painting of our baby Bella Boo from my best friend for Christmas, she always gives the best gifts and she knows me SO well. It was my favourite gift I opened on Christmas and I literally couldn't stop looking at it all day. I currently have it up in our bedroom but once we decorate the living room later this year I might move it down there so all of our guest can admire it too! 

Abercrombie & Fitch Half-Zip Pullover 

Let me start by telling that for Christmas Bella got a fluffy polar bear basket and she is obsessed with sleeping in it and I have been super jealous of her because it looks so snuggly. Step forward this super soft and fluffy pullover from Abercrombie & Fitch, I have found my very own polar bear equivalent! I hadn't purchased anything from A&F for years but I had been seeing lots of their pieces pop up in my Insta feed so decided to check out their site and found this cozy piece on sale. I went with my true size as it was the only size left in this colour, I would size up if you want it to be more oversized though.

Oliver Bonas Saskia Cat Ring Holder

This adorable ring holder was another gift I received at Christmas from another friend, I seriously have the best friends! It couldn't be more perfect for sitting in my dressing room with its gold details and cute little pink ears! All my favourite colours in a cute cat form. 

Ily Mix Scarf 

You will have seen this scarf all over my Insta feed and blog this past month. I cannot take it off! It is super soft and warm for all this cold weather we have been having and its neutral colour means it pairs with just about anything. It also now comes in a cute pom pom version too! You can save 20% off your purchase at Ily Mix with the code 'fiveminutestyle'.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Fragrance

So my last fave for January is this fragrance from Philosophy, called Amazing Grace. I had spotted this on the clearance shelf in Boots with the shower gels but at the time decided I didn't need to pick up anymore perfumes right now. After I got home and use the shower gel I decided I needed to snap this up too as it was such an amazing price. Luckily when I went back the next day it was still there so I treated myself with some of my Boots Advantage Cards pints, so it didn't cost me a penny, which makes it that much better hehe! This scent has such a beautiful feminine feel to it and it's got  an extra special place in my heart now as the first time I wore it was to say my final goodbyes to my Nanny. Scent always evokes such strong memories and emotions for me, and now Amazing Grace will remind me of my Nanny (in a good way) whenever I wear it. Does anyone else find this with scents? There is still a shower gel that if I use it, it will remind me instantly of a holiday I took to Portugal over 10 years ago! 

I hope you guys have enjoyed this post! Let me know if you want me to do more of these in the future for you all?! 

SHOP JANUARY FAVES