Traveling to Chicago and Michigan!

Today 9 students on my university course and myself travelled to Chicago, then flying over to Michigan, Holland.

The flight itself seemed to go so quickly! It did not feel like 8 hours! Becca and myself played games on my iPad and Becca made me two bracelets to pass the time :) 

Our connecting flight from Chicago to Michigan was a bit of an issue as we were told that our plane had a mechanical fault, meaning we had to wait an extra hour for another plane to be arranged and our luggage to be transferred over. Jack however brought a giant pack of cards, so we all played Chase the Ace, which seemed to really amuse everyone in the terminal. 

When we eventually landed in Michigan in the smallest plane I've ever travelled on, we were met by Josh who is a student at Hope College and Dan who I think works for the university and they took us to Applebee's for tea :) 

I'm really enjoying travelling with the people who have come on this trip too! A really fun bunch of people, which makes me really excited for whats to come.

So the plan tomorrow is for us to have a tour around the campus and just get our bearings of our new surroundings because this campus is HUGE. 

At the moment it is 10:45PM in Michigan, meaning my body feels as if it's 4AM, so sleep is necessary as we have been on the go since 4AM this morning...


I'll be blogging about this trip as much as I can, but for now I am exhausted and need some sleep!

Speak tomorrow, 

Love J x

 This is mine and Becca's dorm! I will speak more about this tomorrow.

Read More

APRIL | BIRTHDAY, RANDOM PRODUCTS AND MONTHLY LOVES

April has been a pretty crazy month for me. I went to London with my sister and boyfriend to the Harry Potter Tour, walked around London for the day, started my second part of school placement and I also turned 21!

 Even thought it has been very busy month I have still been trying/loving lots of bits and bobs, some of the items I got for my birthday :)

NEUTROGENA | BLACKHEAD ELMINATING

Isn't the word 'blackhead' horrid... Anyway, this product has been something I've used every day in the shower and I have really noticed a change in my skin as it doesn't look as oily, it's looking fresh! It has tiny grains in the formula but it's not at all harsh to use on your skin. It's so easy to use and gentle but really effective. The beads inside are actually quite nice on your skin and make your feel like your giving your pores a real scrub! I'd recommend you give this a go! 

This Marc Jacobs watch was bought for me from my boyfriend Dan. I have quite a chunky Michael Kors gold watch which I absolutely love to wear, but for placements and general everyday wear I'm finding a little too chunky and in your face. I've been looking for a soft leather, flat faced watch and the second I saw this watch I fell in love.
There are two sizes, a smaller face and a larger one. I went for the larger of the two because the face is just so gorgeous and suited my wrist better, if that makes any sense. I've worn this everyday so far and don't want to take it off. It's a minx grey colour with a rose gold touch and is simply beautiful to wear.

ETSEE LAUDER | RESILENCE LIFT
One thing I'm finding with my skin is that under my eyes is rather puffy and could do with some gentle love. I was wondering about Boots and came across this little gem and I am addicted to using it.  Its very thick and creamy but is so gorgeous to use in the morning and even before bed. Ive noticed that my eyes are not creasing underneath as much in the morning and I've only been using this product for about 2 weeks. It gives your eyes a really refreshing feel to them apart from anything and I would really recommend this little tub of joy.

BENEFIT | GIMME BROW
As you may notice in my pictures I have very dark and thick eye brows so filling them in I find a challenge, without making them look hugely noticeable. For around three years now I've been using the Sleek Brow Kit with the Real Techniques Brow Brush and I've loved using them, but I'm getting bored now and wanted to try something new. 
Again, wondering around Boots I noticed in the Benefit section that they had this product which is almost like a mascara for your eyebrows. Natural brows are beginning to become more popular than brows that are highlighted to perfection and my brows could do without the stress. I am enjoying using this product because it is just so easy to use, but I am having to get to used to the 'not so filled in' brow but the natural shape. 

RAYBANS WAYFARER 
For my 16th birthday my parents bought me my first pair of good quality sunglasses, again RayBans and I left them in the changing rooms of Forever 21 last summer. I cried. I ran back to the shop the second I realised and some stupid person had taken them. My own fault but if you learn anything from reading this blog DO NOT TAKE SUNGLASSES WITH YOU WHEN TRYING CLOTHES ON.

So for my 21st birthday, shopping in Selfridges, my parents bought me these beautiful sunglasses and I absolutely adore them. There is a picture of me wearing them at the start of this blog. They are so lightweight and comfortable to wear. I would recommend RayBan to anyone wanting a good quality, long lasting pair of sunglasses. 

 CLARINS | BASE COMBLANTE
This product is really difficult to describe but it's basically a base for your makeup. I find that I have a super oily T zone but the rest of my face is quite dry. I've seen this product used in many reviews so I thought i'd give this a go! So far I'm really enjoying using this, when I forget to use it, it really annoys me because it does keep my makeup set for much longer, but I don't know why I'm not overly excited for it. Yes, it keeps my makeup on for longer, but for someone with oily skin, it doesn't feel the greatest to apply because it is rather greasy. We shall see.

Also the rings in this picture I bought from Pandora as a little treat for myself for my 21st. Normally I am far from a ring person but I saw these together and they just drew me in. The first one is a pearly colour and looks gorgeous on. The second is a mixture of upside down hearts which match lovely together. I am enjoying trying different types of jewellery lately. 

LINKS
www.pandora.net/en-gb/explore/products/rings/190837 
www.pandora.net/en-gb/explore/products/rings/190884en23

CLINIC | TAKE THE DAY OFF CLEANSING MILK
Most people I guess would use Simple Wipes or a Micellar Cleansing Water to remove their makeup, but once again I'm getting bored of using them and wanted something different to use, to make my skin feel refreshed without the constant rubbing on your face.

This is a cleansing milk that is used to remove your makeup, clue in the 'take the day off' name. I am enjoying using this product as it is doing the job and making my skin feel refreshed and not like I've scrubbed my face off along with the makeup! I find mascara is just a pain to remove because you're really pushing on your eyes and it doesn't feel particularly great, so using this product I don't feel is making me rub my eyes as forcefully. 

I use a cotton pad, dampen it with warm/cold water, depending on whether it's morning or evening. Then pump a small amount onto the       cotton pad and massage it onto your skin to remove your makeup. Normally I use 2-3 cotton pads depending on how much makeup I'm wearing, but you can buy a huge bag of the larger pads in Superdrug for a pound or so! I would really recommend this product so far because it is really cleansing and smooth on your skin without feeling greasy or harsh afterwards.

My sister bought me this necklace for my 21st birthday. On the larger pendant it says 'Jennifer' and on the smaller pendant '21st' which is such a keep sake from her that I've worn everyday since. On the back of the larger pendant is my birth date and small heart on the second pendant. I think she found this on 'Not On The High Street' website but I'll have to double check with her. Not something I bought this month but I've worn everyday and I'll keep forever! 







CLIPS!
I have been on placement teaching 30 6/7 year olds for past 3 weeks and I have learnt a lot... One thing I have learnt is that you don't have a second to check your face is still intact or that your hair looks half decent, so my friend for this past month has most definitely been this hair clip. A 49p hair clip from Superdrug, a must!

Simply being able to twirl my hair around on top of my head after attempting to do something with it at 5:30am has been a necessity. 

MUSIC

Shawn Mendes - Aftertaste

Tink - Treat Me Like Somebody

John Legend - Dream

Nicki Minaj - Whip It

McBusted - Riding On My Bike 

Looking at this selection, I must like a mixture of music...

MOVIE

The Fault in Our Stars

 (Need I say more)

Again, thank you if you got to the end of this blog. I'm going to Michigan next week so I will have so many pictures and experiences to tell you about so lets see what happens there! This blog was a mixture of things I've liked, products I'm trying and what I got for my birthday, so I hope you enjoyed reading it and i'll see you soon!

Love J x

Read More

12 Things I've loved in March

So this month there have been many things that I have loved using and here is a picture to show a few.

 WATER BOTTLES

Water bottles I find are a huge comfort and since our central heating has been broken for just over three weeks it has been a necessity this month! 

Filling this with hot water and putting it under my bed covers before I get into bed has been so lovely. Having a soft case and not a roasting hot plastic water bottle I've found a necessity this month.         

                                                                              

MITCHUM

THIS STUFF! I have really sensitive skin so deodorant sprays are a huge no no! I keep this tube in my bag everyday and it's just so handy. It's hard to describe but it's a stick deodorant, almost like a role on but very thick. Mitchum contains Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to soothe and condition skin so I would massively recommend this to anyone who has sensitive skin!

I bought this from Boots for £3.20, so really cheap and I know will last me a long time.

ZOEVA | Face Shape Brush     

I've found this brush to be great for blending in concealer under my eyes because it's just the perfect shape. ZOEVA brushes are super soft and feel lovely on you skin. Massively recommend! They are rather pricey, but for something you are using on your face daily, that was my justification.

                                                        

 TANGLE TEEZER      

                                                                                 

This monthly favourite is two items combined that I've found amazing to use together. I take my Tangle Teezer into the shower and after washing my hair, I brush it, then let my conditioner soak in and then brush the product into my hair. Doing this I've found lets the conditioner really soak in, leaves my hair feeling even silkier with less frizz when dried! 

I have been using the Elvive Nutri-Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner and am loving using them both lately.

                    ORGANIX | Argan Oil                                

After washing my hair many things can happen, unless I tame it. Without conditioner I can find myself with a mane that is very dry and impossible to straighten or attempt to curl. I have found that using Argan Oil when my hair is damp, spraying it onto my hair and then running my fingers through has stopped the frizz!                                                                           

I bought this for £6.99 in Boots and have been using it every time I wash my hair over the past month and still have over half the bottle left! A must to solve frizzy hair problems. 

I had a 'mini' splurge in Superdrug a few weeks back and I've found myself using the same products repeatedly.

 MAX FACTOR | Face Finity Primer

 MAX FACTOR | Radiant Rose Lip Gloss

 MAX FACTOR | Excess Shimmer in Copper

  MAYBELLINE Colour Tattoo | On and On Bronze

Usually I use the Nivea Express Hydration Primer but I thought i'd try another out just to see the difference and I have to say I'm really enjoying using them both. The Nivea Express Hydration is a similar constancy to a moisturiser and very refreshing, but the Face Finity Primer is more watery and what I would imagine a primer to be like. Both products keep my makeup on for the majority of the day!

MAX FACTOR | Face Finity - £10.99

Nivea | Express Hydration Primer - £3.99

MAX FACTOR Radiant Rose Lip Gloss

I am much more of a lip stick user than lip gloss because I find the majority of lip gloss' I have purchased to be really sticky and annoying to wear. BUT, this MAX FACTOR Radiant Rose Lip gloss has changed my mind. It's so light weight and gorgeous to wear, however does need a few appliances throughout the day. It's a shimmery, clear colour with a hint of pink, beauty! This was £7.99 from Superdrug and worth every penny!

MAX FACTOR | Excess Shimmer in Copper - £7.99

MAYBELLINE Colour Tattoo | On and On Bronze - £4.99

These two cream eye shadows I've found amazing for every day use or to enhance my makeup for work without going over the top. They are really classic, shimmery and don't look too heavy. The main thing I love about these two products is that they are build able and last all day! Eye shadows I find fade and mange to move throughout the day, so this creamy product is becoming a daily must! Im still experimenting with these products, but so far I'm loving them!

                                                       SMOOTHIES

Smoothies have become a favourite in March, following on from last month. Usually I pick out the fruits I'm not fond of, such as Melon and Kiwi, but I've been using them more often and have found the mixture of more than 2/3 fruits is lovely! A healthy snack, fun to make and very filling. Simply buy a mixed bag of frozen fruit and some juice or water and blend them together, pop in a cold glass and a straw, delicious.       

                                              

 PLL   

    I am very knew to Pretty Little Liars as I'm only on Season 1, but I am most definitely hooked! Another favourite I know will keep me busy during the Easter break instead of creating lesson plans for next term, oops. So far, honestly, I'm very confused. How did the fire start? Will Arias parents find out about Ezra? Why is Emilys mum not accepting of her and Maya? So many questions that they leave you hanging with! Season 1 Episode 14 is where I'm up to, so lets see if any of these questions are answered soon...

                                               SNAPCHAT | jenharriss94

 DUBSMASH

My favourite App this month has got to be Dubsmash, it's hilarious and one you should definitely download. The app itself is filled with voice recordings, you choose a sound and mouth the lyrics and it's hilarious. Hopefully you'll see why downloading this app is a lot of fun. 

 If you actually got the end of reading another of my long winded blogs then thank you! I'm finding blogging really fun and somewhere I can get everything I'm thinking out or just time to concentrate on something other than over thinking things, which I tend to do a lot. They may be a load of rubbish and completely boring for you to read but I'm enjoying writing them and I guess thats what counts most of all. I'm not planning on doing a monthly favourites every month, just when I have lots of things I'm loving that month!

Love J x

Read More

Easter Weekend House/Dog Sitting with a Sad Ending...

My boyfriends boss Andy went to London with his family for a few days, however his beautiful dog Alfie had to be left behind. Dan had been asked to look after Alfie, but his nephew has really bad asthma so couldn't bring him home. So, Dan and myself stayed in Andy's home for the last 4 days and it is gorgeous! It's strange, as you get older you start to think about how you would want your home to be decorated and look at how others decorate theirs. This house is my ideal home, its just off the motorway, situated by itself, high ceilings, modern but a touch of a farmyard style...if that makes any sense. I love the old brick in the kitchen and the huge round the corner couches.
A real cosy home!

I think I've shown Alfie before in a blog, but here he is...

We decided this weekend to do some baking so we went to the local Morrison's and bought the ingredients for Rainbow Cookies and they were lovely!

We also attempted to make Costa style Chocolate Brownies but they were an epic fail...

Using a Jamie Oliver recipe, on our last day, we made this delicious lasagne to share with the Shaw family, which will hopefully become a homemade recipe we will use more often. I love making homemade meals because you know exactly what is going into your food and the good feeling after making it successfully! 

                                                             And this cheeky chops waiting for a munch ^

Overall, this weekend has been very chilled and I have enjoyed some quality time spent with Dan. Andy does not have Sky or a TV license out of personal choice, so we have had to find things to do which has actually been rather fun and I see why their family choose that lifestyle.

Read More

Delicious Healthy Breakfast Smoothie

Eating breakfast has never been a meal of the day that has appealed to me. The thought of eating around 7/8 in the morning makes me feel as if I have just devoured a Sunday roast dinner and have to eat the same meal again, it's not a nice feeling. 

I decided to start making some smoothies in the morning to keep my energy up before lunch and to but some vitamins and nutrients inside me.

These four ingredients make such a yummy smoothy :)

1. 1 handful of Tesco's Frozen Fruit
2. A glug of Innocent Smoothie
3. Half a teaspoon of Spirulina
4. Half a teaspoon of Whey Protein

You can use water instead of the Innocent Smoothie but I really enjoy the sweet after taste it leaves in comparison to water.

Spirulina is a fantastic source of protein and is a natural whole food that can help maintain a balanced diet, without the occasional chocolate bar. Synergy Natural suggests to gradually up the amount of Spirulina you use, which actually makes the smoothie greener. 

Nutri Ninja is the smoothie maker and is so easy to use. I've added a Youtube video just to show you how simple and easy it is to make a really healthy drink :)

Now instead of skipping breakfast and running out the door on an empty stomach this easy smoothie fills you up and tastes delicious! 

I'll post a selection of some more smoothies I make this week and the ingredients I used to hopefully inspire you to make some too! 

Love J x

Read More

Finding the perfect Banana Loaf recipe

Not gonna lie...I have had a lot of free time on my hands lately so this has resulted in quite a bit of baking, along with watching The Great British Bake off. 

About a week ago I watched Niomi Smarts video named 'Mini Healthy Banana Loaves' and decided to make one myself. I took an adventurous trip to Waitrose and bought the ingredients Niomi had listed which were quite expensive for a student.

Ingredients

3 Ripe Bananas

1 cup Ground Almonds

1 cup Brown Rice Flour

1/4 cup Sultanas

Pinch of Salt

1/3 cup Coconut Oil

1 tbsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Nutmeg

1 tsp Organic Vanilla Extract

3 Medjool Dates

Handful Flaked Almonds

The Banana Loaf I made following these ingredients I found a bit strange or it may have been just a very healthy and organic taste that I wasn't used to! Using the dates as the natural sugar was a really amazing idea but I found tasted a little odd. The problem I thought may have been the issue was the Medjool dates for the natural sweetener as they tasted rather strange for a Banana bread! I want to find a natural sugar which is the reason as to why I have used Honey for my latest recipe.

Niomi actually favourite my tweet about my Banana Loaf! 

The idea is to make the perfect Banana Loaf. I want the ingredients to be on the healthier side but still taste yummy, which I'm finding rather difficult at the moment.

I made a Banana Loaf last night and it was actually very tasty! :)

Ingredients

250g Rice Flour

125g Unsalted Butter

2 Free Range Eggs

2 tbsp Honey

3 ripe Bananas

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Flaked Almonds for topping

Not a lot in there really but it tasted really lovely! 

The Rice Flour I'm finding is giving a very very different taste to that of ordinary plain flour, but it is so much better for you to use. Im going to switch some of the ingredients around I think and see what I can make. My Mum told me that she has a Banana Loaf recipe that she has made before that was lovely so i'll give that one a whirl.

                                                                Love J x

Read More