Let's Start With This One...

Good Morning Lovelies,

Donuts are my life! I am a proud lover and I would happily admit this to anyone. I have been seen, noted and spotted by many digging into them and I once ate a whole dozen to myself. Even now, as I struggle to eat them due to my condition, I still appreciate them enough to buy them for my family. Especially the seasonal specials!

With Easter just around the corner, I was kindly offered the chance to try the latest edition to Morrisons bakery. Chocolate and Orange filled sugar donuts. The perfect sweet for a weekend we all spend delving into chocolate for. Oh yes, Easter is finally here and these are going to be the donuts to mark it. 

Priced at 50p, the pack of four is big. As were the donuts! Upon opening the packet, the smell of the chocolate and orange combination hits you in a very powerful way. One that will have you thanking Morrisons for a long time. Getting my taste tester mother on board for this was easy once I had done so in fact. 

As soon as we had finished our tea, she got stuck in. No lie, I am certain that from the first bite, our neighbours probably heard the moans of delight. The classic outer donut was just as good as she could remember from previous donuts she had tried. 

Yet, nothing could prepare her for the real showstopper. The cream in the centre. A piece of pure beauty, when two iconic flavours come together and make a fabulous creation. Honestly, there is nothing quite like it according to my mum, who actually doesn’t like chocolate orange that much. 

With Easter just around the corner, these donuts are selling like mad in Morrisons at the moment. Something that we can easily see why is happening. Made to bring a sense of creation to our tables, they are an affordable and fun way to sparkle magic as a great breakfast or after dinner dessert. Whilst also being different to a normal egg. 

To find out more about the donuts lovelies, head to Morrisons bakery aisle, where they can be found with a great selection of more Easter bakes. 

What has stood out to you to try this Easter lovelies? Will you be giving these a go? Let me know! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies,

With the arrival of a new season, comes new candles and wax delights. Yet, it also brings new opportunities. Since lockdown began, we have become a family who loves to burn delicious smelling scents in our home, whilst snuggled up on the sofa with a good box set or film. Honestly, there is nothing better than lighting a beautiful smell surrounding the home and having others compliment you on it.

For years now, we have been a Yankee Candle family. I’m not sure when we fell in love with them or how, but now they are in every room. We even have different ones for different seasons and I stock up on Christmas Memories, my festive favourite. We also have a large collection of Home Bargains candles that mark important dates in the calendar. Lighting one before sitting down and enjoying some good old-fashioned TV on a Saturday night leaves me feeling cosy and warm. 

Something that I can now do easily with the help of the By Candlelight lighter. Designed to help make burning our favourite candles easily, the lighter is a small but mighty tool. Since getting one, I have found coming home in the evening and snuggling up with snuggling up later in the day a breeze. The ultimate cosy night in is now a regular thing. Plus, it looks super stylish compared to others on the market. 

With this in mind, it got me thinking about what I do to make a night special. And easy! Taking the lighter, I simply clicked the flame on. Lit up some of my favourite scents and cosied up to do this blog post in fact. Here are just five things I like to spend the ultimate cosy night in doing! Especially when the  when the weather outside isn’t very nice:

Light A Lovely Smelling Candle: There is nothing better than sticking on the heating and lighting a candle when spending the night in. A cosy cake smelling one is my favourite. Cookies, vanilla frosting and even hot cross bun scented are currently in my home. With the now useful addition of the By Candlelight candle lighter, I can simply click the switch and my world is full of beautiful scents. Pure bliss.

Watching the Best Films and TV Classics: Whatever the season, you can always find the most perfect film or TV to watch on a Cosy Night In. As the lit candles burn, take the time to reconnect with a classic or discover a whole new world. For me, a cosy blanket and a great TV show, Netflix binge or film marathon is my idea of heaven.

Pampering Sessions: Recently, I discovered that no cosy night in is complete if you aren't spending it doing a little bit of pampering. I am the person with cold hands and feet all the time but if I am really cold then I am grumpy. So, spending the evening with my feet wrapped up in a cosy foot spa, a face mask on and doing a luxury hand massage with my favourite creams makes me super happy. 

A Takeaway: There is nothing better than a hot batch of food the whole family can enjoy being cooked by someone else. It means that there is no pressure to be had, with someone else taking over. Plus, with so many different options available, you can grab your By Candlelight lighter, put on some cosy candles and wait. Then when it arrives, you can simply serve up and sit back. Bliss! Add in something sweet for afters, such as chocolates to enjoy during the film or TV binge and you have a great night.

Reading: Similar to baking, the feeling of finishing a good book is the perfect uplifting treat. You meet new characters who you end up loving, delve into mysterious worlds and then become enraptured in their story. There is nothing better to lift your mood. Especially when a box set just won’t do it.

As I stated before lovelies, since having the By Candlelight candle lighter in my house, I have been sharing it with friends and family members to help them find an easier way to light up their favourite candles and have an everlasting relaxing evening. Available in six metallic colours including, rose gold, silver, pewter, pearlescent white, gold and bronze, they are super affordable and currently available from Morrisons and Ocado. You can also find them on their website online lovelies. I promise you will be proud to show them off.

What do you do to host the ultimate cosy night in lovelies? Share your tips and tricks with me in the comments below or on social!

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

I haven’t done a Sunday Bake in so long! I feel terrible about it! Finally though, I am back and ready to give you all a super easy recipe that you can make in no time at all. Having never tried a soufflé before, let alone a maple syrup soufflé, this recipe is a bit of a challenge for me, but my mum will be on hand. Have you made them before lovelies? 

If you are like me, then try not to worry, because this recipe only uses two ingredients and from my family's response is super tasty. Let’s get cooking lovelies…

Ingredients

• 2 Eggs
• 1/3 Cup Maple Syrup 

Tools

• Four Ramekins
• Two Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• Baking Tray

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200(C) or 400(F and grease four ramekins, before leaving to the side.
2. Start by separating the egg whites and yolks into two bowls. Place the bowl with the egg whites to one side.
3. Take the bowl with the egg yolks and pour in the maple syrup. Whisk together until well mixed.
4. In the other bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Then, fold the maple syrup mixture into the whipped egg whites one until well combined. 
5. Once ready pour the mixture into the four ramekins. Once ready, place the ramekins onto a baking tray. 
6. Put the tray in the oven and turn the temperature to 190(C) or 375(F). Bake for 10 minutes, or until puffed up. 
7. Remove immediately from the oven and serve whilst warm when done. Don’t worry if they sink a bit though lovelies whilst dishing up, as this is normal. Simply enjoy!

If you make the recipe lovelies, don’t forget to share with me your feedback, pictures and thoughts in the comments below or on social media! I love to see and share them! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Looking back, the past year has been one of many highs and lows. For lots of us. We have really been through it all, especially when it comes to dealing with a global pandemic. Now, as we face the anniversary of it, I have found that there has been lots to discover in our mad world. Some stuff being helpful. Others not so much. 

Since leaving hospital, I have been faced with lots of questionable situations. I have faced the ups and the downs. New experiences and ones I wish had never taken place. Yet, I have always tried to remain as positive as I can. A task that has been hard to do at times, I won’t lie. However, many of us, have managed to do it. 

Today, I thought I would focus on some of the things I have discovered have helped me with lockdown. It is not really certain what is going to happen in the next few months in the UK, but I do know that I will be continuing to follow these simple changes to get a more positive outlook daily: 

Take Time Away From Social Media and the News: At the start of lockdown  I couldn’t stop watching or reading the news. Yet, it really wasn’t healthy for me to do so. I would get so worked up and panic about what was happening. Deciding to take a step back from it has really helped me move on. I keep up to date but not as much. I take a break from Instagram every other day now and try to limit my screen time. I can’t advise doing this enough lovelies, as it really takes a lot of pressure off. 

Seek Help No Matter What: With doctors, dentists, mental health units and hospitals either closed or under pressure, it did feel and sometimes still does feel like we had no one to turn to. But I promise you, we do! If you need help, no matter what, please seek it. Call 111. Reach out to a local charity. Ask a volunteer to guide you. Reach out to friends, family members or even those on social media that are offering to help. Myself included. If ever you want to speak to someone lovelies, my comments, social media and email are open 24/7!

Start A New Hobby: Something I started doing when I left the hospital and lockdown began was writing a journal. Yes, I know it seems everyone is doing this, but I have found it such a great help in highlighting what has been a positive in my day, what I have planned for it or the next one and my weekly goals. In my journal, I also have a dedicated section for meals and sleep. These have helped me see my progress when it comes to my anorexia recovery a lot. I would definitely suggest a journal lovelies, but you could also discover a new hobby of your choice that brings you joy. Reading, writing, cooking and binge-watching the possibilities are endless.

Check In With People: Since lockdown began I have made sure to send a message, even if it is once a month, to those closest to me to see how they are. It is important that we all stick together during these strange times and I hope that by doing so, we can help each other stay happy and healthy.

Do What Makes You Happy: Okay, so we may not be able to do everything that makes us super happy right now. I am dying to get to the beach, But, do the little things daily that make you happy and it truly helps. Dance around your house. Sing your favourite song as long a you like. Get up early and watch the sunrise or head out for an evening walk and see the sunset. Any little thing that helps to bring a smile to your face is worth it. 

These are just a few simple things I do to help my mind stay well during lockdown lovelies. We have all done amazingly well this past year. Whether it has been helping others or ourselves, just by looking for the best in each day can make a huge change. One that I think will see us all come out of lockdown for the better. 

What have you all been doing to help stay well during lockdown lovelies? Share your tips with me! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

When I was little, Hertford (where I live) used to have a chocolate shop. If I had been good, for a little treat or if I had had an appointment (maybe the after-dentist treat wasn’t a great idea mum), I could go in there and get my favourites – white chocolate buttons or a chocolate lollipop!

Sadly, however, the shop has since closed and due to my eating disorder, I haven’t been able to enjoy them as I once did. I’ve never found something to replace them even. So, when Scoundrel, a Scottish chocolate company, got in touch to offer me the chance to review their chocolate on the blog, I asked my taste tester aka my mum to step up and help. Something she was all too happy to do.

The Scoundrel chocolate angels have made it their mission to make sure that they have made three luxury sugar free, dairy free chocolate bars. White, milk and dark in flavour, the bars come in 55g handy bars, as well as a free cookbook code that is easy to slip into your bag and take around with you. Or to use in one of the recipes in the cookbook. 

Opening up the bar, I was really surprised by how fantastic the pieces looked. Something that excited my mum a lot, as she prepared to try the bars. In our house, we have always thought and looked at the taste of items. We long for the same flavours and feelings that the old sweet shop used to bring. These bars may be a little bit more adult, but according to my mum, they definitely nearly match up. 

Made from only the finest ingredients, according to the Scoundrel website, these are a tasty find that all can enjoy. My mum stated that if my dad was still here they would be perfect in fact, due to them being sugar free and good for diabetics. Whilst other bars try hard to give the best flavours but lack in doing so, these work. They taste just like classic high quality chocolate bars according to my mum and she would definitely look into buying them again. 

Scoundrel has lots of good deals on their website, including their own cookbook and ice cream, which can be ordered online. To find out more head to their site, where you can see all of their delights on offer. 

Have you discovered a new chocolate brand in lockdown? Let me know about them in the comments or via social media, as I would love to hear about them! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies,

Marcella is a show that has continuously changed. From a mysterious first series to a money making scheme of a third, there has been no stopping the strange happenings within it. Now, with the season coming out on DVD and digitally, the third series three episodes are ones to watch just for the madness of it all. 

Ratings plummeted on the second and third episodes, as many switched off. I can see why. Unlike the previous seasons, the third has somehow managed to make the show lose its spark. No longer is the character one that we fall for. No longer does the show hold its power over us. It is simply a mad hatched plan of a feature that makes us wonder what the character is going through. How is she even doing what she does. 

Anna Friel is on top form as always, but even she can’t save the writing and storyline from going way too far. It is as if the creators have been forced to just write down everything that comes into their heads quickly, in case they forget it, making it all fall apart. 

The character's reinvention has also reinvented the show. But not in a good way. Whilst Marcella had an amazing track record for hooking us in, this one is not the same. It is a downfall that brings with it a sadness. 

2 Stars

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Did you ever just spend hours and hours in the garden when you were younger playing with the most random of toys? This was definitely me and my brothers! 

We would go out and play with our friends for hours and hours, taking place in our gardens, outside the front of our house and on family holidays at our caravan. Places that hold lots of memories for me. 

There was often times when we would feel the need to it get out the Swingball. Kick a football about. Ride around on our bikes or find random things to play with. Many of which have lasted for years and I loved so much. 

This brought me onto wanting to try out the new range from Wicked Vision Toys, when the company got in touch with me. Making different kinds of toys to help get everyone outside, the lovely team sent me three items from the new collection that I can’t get enough of. 

Opening the parcel in which they sent me, I found myself face to face with a Mega Jump first. A giant skipping rope, which allows you to twist, jump and move in more ways than a normal rope would allow, this brought back lots of school memories. I was never a good skipper, but with this toy I couldn’t help but be impressed. Definitely flexible and able to move a lot more easier than a smaller rope, this is great to get everyone to join in with, even if you haven’t done any skipping in years. 

The next toy I found was a Zzzopa Ball! Designed to be like a fidget spinner, but also to be played with like a ball, you can spin, bounce or throw this toy to help it soar across the room. At first I was worried that I was going to cause some damage, but once I had a go at it, I was seriously impressed. The ball moved so quickly, yet it was done in a safe way. It was able to help me focus on something else, by spinning it when my anorexia head got too much. As well, it was also perfect at helping me to distress when my busy week got a bit too much. I will definitely be using it more as a fidget toy than a normal ball and couldn’t recommend it more for this lovelies. 

Finally, the last product I found was a Sonic Booma. This is a toy that is made for the garden. Please do not throw it in your house, because you will destroy it aha! With a built in whistle, this boomerang type toy goes 15 to 20 metres, before coming back to you. I’m yet to give this a spin, as I want to head to our local park to do so. However, having looked at the feel of it and the way it has been designed, it definitely looks like another toy to use as a relaxing tool. I can’t wait for the warmer months to arrive to give it a proper trial. 

When summer gets here and hopefully we can meet up with our families and friends I will be bringing these out. To find out more about the items lovelies, head to the Wicked website, where you will also find so many more amazing toys. 

What is one toy that always reminds you of summer? Let me know! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

The Craft has been a film that has long since become a cult classic. Yet, its follow up, The Craft: Legacy, fails to hit a similar mark in doing so. Out today on DVD, Blu-Ray and digitally, the feature is a bewitching one, but whether you love it as much as the first, is all down to the spell it casts. 

Actor-turned-director Zoe Lister-Jones, has taken the concept of the 1996 classic and given Cailee Spaeny’s character Lily, a new reality that sees her bonding with a coven of witches during her first day at a new school. One that is filled with personal jokes. Whilst the feature seems to be just as fun, especially with its magic moments, there is a lot within the script that reflects both good and bad elements.

The characters feel very much the same within the story, however, none of them seem to have an everlasting connection like those on screen before do. This all comes down to the writing within the script flowing away from the characters and the stories they have to tell. Many of which could have brought a lot of interest to the story as a whole. Though it is never built upon. 

There is this feeling throughout in fact. Especially with the ideas and the developments regarding the magic and witchcraft that should be casting spells after spells on all of us as viewers. But it never matches up to the dark arts that the first film gives us. Instead it plays off like a Mean Girls feature, just without the fun. 

Whilst The Craft managed to bring a new hope to the world of cult films, The Craft: Legacy just doesn’t bring enough power with it to do so. There are endless elements of fun and some similarities, but there is simply no matching up to its predecessor. A sad fact. Yet, it will bring some joy to new or fans of the cult one if looking to reconnect with that magical female power led film. 

3 Stars

Joey X

 

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Mother’s Day is fast approaching lovelies and for many of us, the 14th will be a special day for many of us! However, with the UK still in a little bit of lockdown, it is going to be a strange one again. Yet, with the help of Amazon, there are still lots of amazing opportunities and gifts to celebrate the day. 

From handmade items to fashionable finds, the five items below are some finds that I have found on the site, which I simply love. The cushion being a true highlight for me…

Charbonnel et Walker Strawberries & Cream Truffles, £15

Amazon Handmade Bee Organic Canvas Pouch, £16

Amazon Handmade Personalised Mum Velvet Cushion, £35

Goodpick Sturdy Jute Rope Plant Basket, £18.99

Eono by Amazon Wireless Eonobuds, £29.99

These gifts are a bit of a mixture, but that is what makes them so fun! Especially, if your mum is like mine and has a bit of an interesting taste. For mine, I would get her the pouch and plant basket, as she is fast becoming a plant mother. What would you get your mum from the selection above lovelies? Let me know! 

Joey X

Hey Lovelies, 

A few days ago I requested some fun snacks to feature on the blog. Having decided to bring back some exciting series, including the Sunday Bakes, I decided that as a lifestyle and entertainment site, snacks are super important for me to mention. Especially when there are so many interesting ones being launched around the world. 

Recently I broke my jaw. The ice and snow were not my friend lovelies. There so, I am now having to work with a liquid diet. Plus, with my anorexia this has meant that I have had to try and get inventive. But nothing is as inventive than this new snack I simply love for many reasons. 

Made fresh every day, Dick on a Stick, are a brand new snack brand, who make some of the funniest but from my mum’s reaction tastiest waffle based desserts. Described on their website as, “Fully erect, ready to eat - 6.2" of premium waffle delivered anonymously to the dick deserving,” each flavour has an exciting name, including Boris, Sloppy and Bust A Nut, to name a few. 

I received the Boris one, when the team kindly asked me if I would like to try one. Filled with milk and white Bueno chocolate, the vanilla waffle, named after our Prime Minister, comes in a bright pink box that doesn’t reveal what is inside. A great idea if you want to send this to someone as a surprise or laugh. Along with a vanilla sauce that is great for dipping the stick in. 

Being unable to eat it, I found myself giving it to my mum. I know this is a weird thing to give a parent, but I just didn’t want it to go to waste. Plus, my mum loves waffles. Warming it up in the microwave, my mum decided to start her day with the snack. Heating the sauce along with it, she drizzled it all over and delved in. 

Super soft, full of chocolate and perfect with the vanilla sauce, my mum stated that the waffle was definitely worth the money. Priced normally at £14.99 (it is on sale at £12.99 right now), the snack is a little bit more expensive than one in a shop, but it is original, fun and something that will be sure to make the person enjoying it laugh. 

Plus, with such a great selection, including chocolate dipped, salted caramel, champagne and Nutella filled options, there is a dick on a stick for everyone to enjoy. They are great for birthdays, hen nights and just as a fun parcel for the waffle lover in your life. I instantly knew of someone who would make an inside joke out of it if I was to send them one. 

Having seen the item before I was sent it, I was excited for it to arrive. When it did I was shocked but in a good way. I now can’t wait to send some to people I know as a snack surprise. They are not going to know what has hit them aha! 

To find out more about Dick on a Stick or to purchase one to try yourself lovelies, head to their website, which also has a number of other products lovelies, including a wank wipe napkin and mugs. Yes, it may all sound very odd, but you are going to love them. I promise aha!

Let me know if you get one of these impressive snacks and look out for more snack reviews soon! 

Joey X