Review: Lush Ltd. "Dragon's Egg"

A little while ago I tested out the "Dragon's Egg" ballistic from the wonderful Lush Ltd. I can only apologise for the HORRENDOUS delay in reviewing... to be honest I'd completely forgotten about it until I was trawling through my iPhone images this morning. (Out of boredom) 

Here's what Lush say:

"As you bathe in the whirlpool of vibrant, fiery colour and inhale the refreshing sherbet scent of lemon and bergamot, you'll feel like you're up and away on the back of your own dragon. Citrus oils are known for their invigorating effect on the mind and Dragon's Egg is no exception! Drop one of these baby dragons in the bath for a serious wake-up call on groggy mornings or before evenings out."

And what did Katie think?:

I had previously used half of this ballistic as its HUGE and there's more than enough for multiple 

soaks... I'm sure anyone could manage at least four baths with one of these babies.

Firstly, I find the little pieces of confetti quite strange, when they are immersed in the water they go quite slimy and don't dissolve like the rest of the ballistic. I found myself trying to dodge the little bits of weird stuff throughout my bath! Which isn't easy in a bath full of water, especially when you're body resembles that of Shamu! Water EVERYWHERE! 

Other than that it was truly delightful. There was even a gold bar in the middle which filled my bath with specks of shimmering glitter! Completely shocked me, but it made the ballistic a million times better!

 It was tricky to get rid of the glitter... took me days to make the little gold bits disappear!

As usual, the bath water looked gorgeous and made the bath somewhat fun and even more enjoyable than usual - if that's possible? My skin felt soft once I'd dried myself off and I felt all pretty due to the sparkles! The citrus scent really did invigorate the mind (and soul - haha), it made me more alert and awake which was exactly what I needed at the time... not so good if I'd wanted to hit the sack after though. 

I'm not sure I would purchase this again as it is rather messy, my OCD can't cope with it I'm afraid, however, I would recommend this fiercely to everybody! Go and and try it - it's SCRUMMY!!! 

:) x

Herby Chicken & Mash: The Recipe

Last night, I decided to cook my famous 'Herby Chicken & Mash'... It looks like a total mess but I promise you, it's insanely tasty!

I kind of made this up when I first started cooking every day, about a year and a half ago, it's a "chuck everything in and hope for the best" recipe, I thought I'd list it here incase you guys wanted to have a go.

Please excuse the terrible instructions, I'm not too good at explaining how I cook - I just do it hehe... I might even do a video tutorial one day:

Ingredients:

- 2 Large Chicken Breasts (with the excess fat trimmed off)

- 2 Large red onions (Chopped roughly, maybe into quarters)

- 3 Cloves of garlic

- Extra virgin olive oil (5 table spoons, use more if you're a fatty like me)

- Maris Piper potatoes (around 8 medium potatoes - we like TONNES of mash)

- Mayonnaise (4 tablespoons)

- Mixed herbs (3 tablespoons)

- Paprika (1 teaspoon)

- Salt & Pepper (season to taste)

- Garden peas (as many as you like)

- Sweetcorn (as above)

- Broccoli (as above)

- Dash of milk

- Knob of butter

Method:

- Peel and slice potatoes into thin pieces, boil in a large pan for the mash! This usually takes around 25 minutes when the potatoes are thinly sliced, keep an eye on these during the next steps

... meanwhile ...

- Use a sharp knife to cut the chicken breasts into large chunks (2 inches by 2 inches)

- Pour the oil into a large frying pan and start to warm

- Add the chicken and fry on a low heat until it starts to turn white

- Roughly chop the onion and peel the garlic cloves (crush these slightly with the back of a wooden spoon to release the flavour), scatter these randomly between the chicken to flavour the oil and add texture to the dish. 

- Continue to fry until the chicken is almost cooked through and has started to brown on each side.

- Put the vegetables into pans and boil. These normally take 15 minutes or so... reduce the time if you like your veg to be crunchy (YUK)

- Add the mixed herbs, paprika, salt and pepper to the frying pan, covering the chicken pieces

- Turn the heat up to finish cooking the chicken through. Fry for at least 20 minutes all together.

- Once cooked, switch the heat off on the frying pan but leave on the hob so that it keeps warm.

- While this is still on the hob, remove the potatoes, use a colander to drain the water and get mashing!!!!

- Add mayonnaise, a dash of milk and butter to the mash to make it extra EXTRA creamy!

- Drain the veggies!

Serve and ENJOY!!!

Feel free to add some of the cooked onion, a few bits may be slightly burnt by the time you're done but if you're like me and you love any onion... any way... then it'll be no problem!

:) x

Madeleine's: The Recipe

Madeleine's are also called "French Butter Cakes" - anyone who has tried them knows that they are absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!!!

I thought I'd give this recipe a go at the weekend! I'll follow this up with a post - hopefully it won't be a complete disaster!!!!

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar for decoration

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Butter and flour 12 (3 inch) madeleine molds; set aside.
2. Melt butter and let cool to room temperature.
3. In a small mixing bowl, beat eggs, vanilla and salt at high speed until light.
4. Beating constantly, gradually add sugar; and continue beating at high speed until mixture is thick and pale and ribbons form in bowl when beaters are lifted, 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Sift flour into egg mixture 1/3 at a time, gently folding after each addition.
6. Add lemon zest and pour melted butter around edge of batter. Quickly but gently fold butter into batter. Spoon batter into molds; it will mound slightly above tops.
7. Bake 14 to 17 minutes, or until cakes are golden and the tops spring back when gently pressed with your fingertip.
8. Use the tip of the knife to loosen madeleines from pan; invert onto rack. Immediately sprinkle warm cookies with granulated sugar.

Madeleines are best eaten the day they're baked and leftovers are wonderful when dunked into coffee or tea.

Exciting stuff!!!!!!!

[Image courtesy of weheartit.com]

:) x

Review: Lush Ltd. "Magic Mushroom"

 

I've not posted in so long! I apologise!

Things have been a bit crazy over the last few days especially so unfortunately I've been unable to find time to blog between sleeping, working, shopping and preparing for the new job! ARGH!

I won't go into it all too much, I'd hate to bore you all to tears!

First of all, It's not as bad as it sounds, I promise it's not some kind of narcotic I decided to try out... again it's from the gorgeous 'Lush Cosmetics'.

I purchased the Magic Mushroom bubble bar from Lush Ltd. a few weeks ago, I meant to do a haul post as I ordered a few bits and bobs but I didn't ever get round to it - oops! Now most of the products are used up and a review post will have to suffice!

What does it do?

The 'Magic Mushroom' has two distinct scents. In the red cap, there's the nostalgic fragrance of Lush's Yummy Yummy Yummy shower gel (sniff); and in the white bit, they've used the signature creamy vanilla scent. Together, it blends to give you bubbles that smell like a bowl of fresh strawberries covered in cream.

How do we use it?

After my last Lush bath melt experience... I studied this part closely to avoid another disaster!

Crumble under running warm water as you fill the tub. The amount you need to use will vary but this bar usually yields one or two baths. The stronger your water pressure, the more bubbles you will make. To get the most out of your bubble bars, keep them in a cool, dry place.

So... do I feel that this product was worth the [almost] £5.00 spent? Yes... I actually LOVE this!

I was a little dissapointed that it didn't really smell like strawberries and cream, afterall it is my favourite smell!! It contained a flowery scent and wasn't remotely like strawberries... or cream! Anyway - that doesn't really matter, the smell actually seemed to relax me and was almost lavendar-ish... [another made up word to add to the collection!]

There wasn't a great deal of bubbles, but more than enough for me! I tend to freak out a little if the bath is over flowing with bubbles... I like to be able to see the taps at the other end of the bath so that I can add more water if I need to! I've mastered the art of turning taps on and off with my feet!

These bubbles are special bubbles though, they were very fine and were all shiny and lovely! I do love a shiny bubble!!

And it made the bath water bright pink - Bonus!!!!

Overall, I'm impressed [as usual] and I'll definately be buying this baby again - in fact - I might just order one now!!!!

:) x