Let's Start With This One...

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Awww the scent of summer has officially landed! Yes, July is here and it is bringing a lot of good news with it! 

School is nearly over, the summer holidays are about to start and the weather is heating up! July is a special month for me, as it marks my birthday, however as someone who isn’t that fussed about celebrating it, I look for the other joys that July brings the most. 

Finally, I am going to be heading away to see my brother and nephew for a few days. I’m going to enjoy the rest and relaxation that it always brings. I’m also seeing July as a chance to try and have some homegrown fruit and vegetables from my garden, such as the raspberries we have grown for years, but I have been too scared to eat. 

I also want to enjoy the feeling of summer walks. I know I have to be careful, but there is something so soothing about heading out in the early morning, when the sun isn’t too hot but still shining that calms me right down. Twice a week now I hope to simply spend time embracing the beauty of this. 

July also inspires me when it comes to the blog and writing. Due to Christmas in July, I get so pumped to start preparing for the autumn and winter months now. Everyone knows that Halloween and Christmas are the times in which I come alive and this year I feel more excited about them than anything. 

Summer is a special time. It reminds me of being young, seeing friends, banishing the coat to the back of the cupboard and embracing the freedoms the sunshine brings. Yes, June can help with this, but it’s truly July that makes it the best. Summer starts now and I am ready for it! Who else is with me?

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies,

Every month I like to pick a favourite book of mine to tell you all about and June brought a bit of a surprising find with it! After reading about my choice in a number of magazines, I instantly wanted to read it. 

However, Yellowface was a book that did not want to be read! Not because it was bad, more so because it was so hard to find anywhere. From the library to my local book shops, I could not get it. This was due to the the amount of people reading it. Luckily though, Amazon saved the day. 

Upon spotting the yellow cover, I wanted to know more. This led me into a pit of not being able to put the book down. Cleverly placing the readers in the heart of the story from the get go, Yellowface tells the story of one authors downfall into a web of lies, as she takes another authors story and makes it her own. 

Page upon page describes many of the hardships that readers don’t see when it comes to what authors deal with. This makes it impeccable reading. So much so that you often find yourself wondering how the book isn’t a biography. 

It’s so clever, twisted and entrapping in every way. All of which making it an exceptional piece. One that I would recommend to all. In fact, the librarian even told me that my endless visits to see if it was in had made her want to read it. I may have to give her my copy though, as it has a reservation waiting list of 48 people so far! 

Yellowface was definitely the book that made my June special. In total I read seven books this month, yet it was this one that truly captured it. 

What did you all read in June lovelies? 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Recently, I have been trying to look after myself a lot more. To try and be a bit more gentle. Due to my ED, I don’t love my body at all. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate it and that I don’t want to look after it! 

However, it can be expensive! Honestly, I look at make up and beauty items, often wondering how they cost so much. Yet, they don’t have to lovelies, because there are so many amazing dupes out there! 

From local supermarket finds to own store beauty finds, I use lots of unbranded items and they do just as much work as other items. Therefore, I wanted to share some of my best finds with you all. Including…

Aldi Apricot Exfoliating Face Scrub, 99p: A relatively new find, this is just like the St Ives scrub but at a fraction of the cost. Unlike the St Ives one though, it has a really nice smell and I actually think it makes my skin softer than the more expensive buy. You don’t need much each time you use it either to make a difference.

Morrisons Kids 2 In 1 Strawberry Shampoo & Conditioner, £1: Due to having really fine hair, I find that using children’s shampoo and condition works better on my hair. This is just like the L’Oreal one, with a gorgeous fresh smell that lasts. It doesn’t leave your hair feeling weighed down and gives a super soft finish. 

Aldi Lacura Coconut & Shea Butter Shower Gel, 55p: I adore anything coconut. It brings summer into my home all year round. The best thing about this is that you can get three bottles of the stuff, which lingers on your skin for ages, given off a super fresh smell, for the price of just one Tropical Source bottle. It lasts for ages, with very little needed to create a lot of suds. I always buy a bottle of this when I need a real shower pamper!

Asda Q10 Radiance Night Cream, £1.50: I don’t use this every night, as sometimes I like to let my skin just breathe, but when I do I find I wake up with super soft skin. It has completely removed the little bit of dry skin I got during winter and saved my face for summer. I’ve paid a lot before for night creams, yet I always find myself coming back to this one.

Aldi Lacura Cotton Women's Roll On, 75p: I decided to stop using aerosols a while ago and this was the deodorant I found because of it. Not sticky or too runny, it rolls on and lasts. From super hot conditions to freezing winters, yours armpits will thank you for this beauty that costs less than its Sure counterpart!

What products do you use that cost very little? Let me know! I find that there are so many great low cost options that make a huge difference! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Supporting women and their periods is something I am a huge fan of! As someone who sadly lost theirs a number of years ago, I have become away of the challenges that we all faced, when younger, in regards to getting hold of and being comfortable with tampons and sanitary towels. 

When I did have mine, I used to prefer to wear pads. However, it wasn’t the most comfortable situation. Especially in hot weather conditions, where they would sometimes rub my thigh areas. 

However, as time has gone on, so has the brilliant production process. Thankfully, we now have a great brand called ModiBodi to help make pants, which are super absorbent for us all. 

Able to hold up to 10ml of liquid, which is the equivalent of 1-2 teaspoons or two tampons, the pants can be reused again and again, without the needs of pads, tampons or liners. A win all round. 

Having been gifted a pair to try, from their ModiBasics range, I decided to give them a go, as an experiment shall we say. Sliding them on, they reminded me of my comfy short style underwear, with no feelings that I was wearing something that would absorb any liquid. 

Throughout the day, I know I can sometimes leak, but if I did I didn’t know about it. When worn throughout the night, I didn’t even feel any rubbing, which my night time pads used to cause. I was super impressed throughout in fact. 

Although I had seen the brand being advertised online, I hadn’t really looked into ModiBodi before. Yet, I was super impressed and would have happily used them if I wasn’t in my current situation. I even suggested to my mum that she might prefer them when it comes to leaks. 

A great brand that helps support all is definitely one that we can all get on board with lovelies. Check out their website now to find the perfect pants and bottoms for you! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

For a few months now, I have been doing meal plan posts for you all. Whilst I really enjoyed doing them, I have now got to a point where they worry me a bit. I eat quite a lot of the same meals at dinner time, due to my condition, however I introduce new things in other places, such as breakfast or for snacks. 

Therefore, I have decided to change things up a bit. Instead of the normal meal plans, I thought I would discuss my new food finds. Things I have enjoyed and discovered during the month, which may be new or I have reintroduced into my diet. 

At the moment, I am just trying to be gentle, to help me recover better. This means, in many ways, going back to my childhood and rediscovering a few party favourites. 

Here are my top five new food finds from the month of June…

Iced Gems: Who doesn’t love these little iced biscuits? For me, they are a childhood lunch box and party food. Having brought them a while ago, in a multipack bag, I finally managed to enjoy a packet with my mum in June. Every emotion was felt, as they tasted exactly as I remembered them. In fact, even better in some cases. We all bite the icing off first though right?

Nectarines: For a long time, I have been afraid of changing the fruit in my diet. Yet, with the return of the warm weather and the summer fruits coming with it, I wanted to be brave and try to have a nectarine. Upon writing this, I have now been having them again for around a week and really enjoying the sweetness of them. 

Aldi Crisp Rice Cereal: I used to love Rice Krispies when I was younger, however due to fears and also the cost of them, I hadn’t felt brave enough to have them again. June changed all of that. Aldi do their own version for just 85p a box and it is sooo good! Super light and fluffy, these make my mornings with a drizzle of honey now. Perfection!

Aldi Strawberry Juice Cartoon: If you like strawberry Ribena you will love this. At only 85p, I bulk buy these and enjoy one most evenings. I’m hoping to pour them into my slushie maker this summer to make a classic strawberry type of Slush Puppy, but I haven’t got there just yet. Slow and steady though!

Aldi Strawberry Conserve: I like to have a little drizzle of something on my cereal and this hits the spot when mixed in with warm milk. I had an empty squeezy bottle, so I put the jar in that, making it easier to store in the fridge too. Now it is the most perfect addition to my breakfast.

A New Brand I’ve Discovered: Just Spices UK - A few months ago, I was asked if I would like to discover the world of Just Spices. In our house, we use spices and flavours a lot. Especially if my mum is making a big dish for the whole family, so I happily said yes. 

Kindly, the team gifted me a big spice bundle full of toppings and spices to add to all kinds of meals. From cinnamon and apple porridge spices to egg toppings, there is honestly something for everyone. Hopefully, we will have tried some by the next post and I will share all of our recipes with you when we do! Check out their website to discover what they do and all of their products for now though. 

What have you discovered in the world of food this June?

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies,

When John Wick was released back in 2014, not many people thought it was going to be a good film. Until it launched itself into cinemas and homes at lightning speed. One that led it to release its fourth outing titled John Wick: Chapter 4!

Returning as Wick, Keanu Reeves takes revenge to a whole new level in this latest feature, after seeking it for his pet dog in the first film. After killing a member of the High Table, a group of international assassins’, John Wick is faced with the biggest decision he has had to make so far. Whether freedom is worth the risk of death, after being made aware that his only chance of getting it is to fight it out in the ultimate battle.

A battle that is endlessly violent. To the point that it becomes hard to watch with the amount of blood being squirted about. All kinds of weapons are brought out, from knifes to fists, to bring this next chapter to life. One that picks up right where the third feature ended. 

Whilst many could be wondering what new element they could bring to the story Keanu Reeves, who plays Wick, and director Chad Stahelski manage to find a way to make it work. Even if it seems like everything is a little bit all over the place at times. In fact, quite a lot of the time. 

The film and the franchise has become a piece of cinema history working to reconnect cinematic history. From the casting to the story, it seems that any martial arts hero has been brought into the mould and the story wants to use it to its best advantage. Yet, it doesn’t seem to click in the fourth film like the others. 

Maybe it is the sense that it has all been done before being brought into the mould. It could be the way that the story just seems a little too much at times. It could actually be the casting now, however, Reeves is still on top form. Whatever it may be, it is a sad reality for those who have loved the franchise from the start. 

If you haven’t seen any of the others, you must watch them before viewing this one. If you are already fan, you will enjoy it, maybe just not like you did the previous ones. Overall though it is a good adventure thriller that brings the saga into a great fourth feature length. 

3 Stars

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Now, what are you having for breakfast today? Porridge? Cereal? Eggs on toast? Well, whatever it is, I may just be about to change your selection up a bit, with the introduction of Rollagranola. 

New to the market, the team behind the brand, have created delicious new granolas, full of flavour, but with lots of healthy changes. Using only the best seeds, nuts, oats and spices, Rollagranola has grown in size due to the endless love that it has been given and from my mum’s reaction, it is easy to see why. 

Kindly gifted the Healthy Hazelnut flavour, I decided to pour my mum a bowl to enjoy in bed on a Sunday morning. Covered in evaporated milk (her cereal choice!), the cereal was instantly smell sensational, as the notes of cinnamon bursted through. 

Upon pouring, I could see the great sized hazelnut, almond, apricot and date pieces too. There was seriously no scrimping when it come to creating the product. Something that makes the £4.99 price tag very worth while. 

High in vitamin E and with no added sugar, Rollagranola focus highly on making and using only the best in their products. Something my mum noticed right away. Unlike overly sweet granolas or ones that lay heavy after eating, my mum said that this was delicious and left her wanting more.   

A fact that led me having to tell her what over flavours are available. Let me tell you, there are a lot. The maple one becoming her next top trial it seems. Honestly, whatever flavour you are looking for, your tastebuds will be happy with what you find. 

Rollagranola are a brilliant brand who obviously care about their customers. I can’t wait for my mum to try more in the future and will definitely let you know what she thinks. For now though, she is in a hazelnut haze of granola love! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies, 

I am going to be honest with you all now and admit that seeds terrify me. Before my condition, I never used to mind them, however now, I just can’t face them. Yet, my family are still massive fans of them, leading to me still using them in bakes and creations. 

Inspired by this, I was hugely grateful when the team at Munchy Seeds asked me if I would like to try a few of their products. Instantly I said yes, as I knew that my family would love them, especially in a freshly baked loaf of bread. 

The team kindly sent me two packs to trial. First out of the bag was the Mega Omega and the second was the brilliant Honey Roasted. The bags are massive and the amount of seeds you get for around £2.50 is incredible. Even my neighbour stole some and we had loads left. 

For my bake, I decided to use the omega product, which made a beautiful seeded granary loaf for my mum to enjoy. Warm, with butter spread on top, she loved it, stating that the seeds weren’t too hard and just the right texture for the bread. 

This feedback inspired me to look into ways to use the honey ones, with another bread recipe on the horizon. However, you could easily add them to cakes, muffins and even as simple toppings on cereal, salads and porridge. The uses for these seeds are endless. 

Munchy Seeds were not a brand I had heard of before. Yet, seeing the quality of the product and the amount in each pack is fantastic. If I ate a lot of seeds, I would be buying these every week. Now I know about them, I will buying them for every bake seeds are called for. 

Even my neighbour feels the same, having tried hers on her cereal and porridge in the morning. Staying to me over a number of days that they gave her so much energy, which she said is needed with three young boys. 

Full of goodness and flavour, Munchy Seeds are truly munchy and I can’t recommend them enough. Maybe they will just be the brand to beat my fear! 

How do you like to enjoy seeds lovelies? Let me know your creations! 

Joey X