Affordable Treats is 4 today!

My blog is 4 years old today! I made these cupcakes in celebration (instead of getting an image from the internet like I've done for the past 3 years!). They didn't exactly go to plan, but they still taste nice! I can't believe I've been writing on here for 4 years. It seems to have flown by, but at the same time, it feels like I've been writing a blog forever. I don't know what I'd be doing if I didn't have this hobby and the community it comes with. I've been given so much support from you guys, blog wise and personally. Thank you to everyone who has ever read or commented, and thank you to those who've had endless conversations with me on Twitter. Let's see if we'll get to 5 years!

Ciaté Nail Polish in Pepperminty

I love the colour mint, but I'm never sure how I feel about it on my nails. I think I'm warming to the Ciaté Paint Pot in Pepperminty, though! I think it's because it leans towards the blue end of the spectrum. The formula was good, taking 2 coats to become evenly opaque. There's not much more to say about it, really!

What do you think of mint nails? What's your favourite mint nail polish?

July Update!

Jessie on our walk the other day looking rather amusing!

Hello, all! After not updating you in over a year, I've done so twice in two months! I used to do weekly ones, but not a great deal usually happens from week to week, so I think I'll just keep them monthly.

In my last update, I said I'd applied for a job. I didn't get it, which does make me question myself as to why, but I'm still proud for even having the courage to apply. I haven't applied to any others since then because it's not a top priority at the moment, what with year 3 and my dissertation around the corner. I know lots of people have jobs while at uni, but because I've never experienced that, it'd be a shock to the system handling something else, especially in year 3. I wish I'd started applying last Summer!

I also said in my last update that I'd love to go to Thorpe Park this Summer. Well, that week, I did! My parents both had time off of work, so we all went together. Unfortunately, I was travel sick, and was still sick entering the park. Travel sickness and tummy turning rides do not mix, but I went on them anyway because I was not missing out! Surprisingly, Rush turned my tummy the most, not any of the roller coasters. I'd love to go again, but take precautions this time!

Out of the blue, I remembered that I hadn't yet applied for student finance for the next academic year - Two days before the deadline. Quite lucky, really. I can't believe I'd forgotten about it, though. I'm normally one of the first to get it in. I think it's because this last year has gone by so quickly that I thought I'd only just filled the forms out, when it was actually 16 months ago - Oops!

In the month of July I also became an organ donor. I hadn't signed up before because the thought of my death, someone cutting me open, and taking my organs, terrified me. It still does, but I thought I may as well. My organs will only go to waste if I don't, and if I can save a life, it's worth it. I just hope they won't have to be used for a very long time!

As some of you may know, July was also an upsetting time for my family because our beautiful Puddin' died. It was out of the blue, a week before her 5th birthday. We still miss her every day, and expect to see her running in before remembering what happened, but we're just thankful that her death was quick. I'm holding on to the adorable and funny memories I have of her now.

That week was a bit of a roller coaster because the day after Puddin' died I received my 2nd year uni results. I was so happy with them, and it felt great to be proud for once. On closer inspection, I found that one of the Firsts I'd received was for an assignment I struggled with towards the end. Baffling, but I'm not complaining!

Now I've just got to concentrate on year 3. I'm going to gather research for my dissertation idea next week, if my lecturer says my idea is okay. I'm nervous to open my email and find his response!

The next update you'll see will be in September! I can't believe that's only next month. Enjoy your August!

Ombré Cupcakes!

At the end of my Rainbow Cupcakes post, I said I was going to try ombré ones, and thought I'd show you how they turned out. I'm not sure if they're as pretty as the rainbow ones, but rainbows are hard to beat! I used the same recipe as before, so if you'd like to have a go at making them, just head over there. I'm baking another batch of birthday cupcakes this weekend, and then I'm going lay off them for a while. Maybe try making a banana cream pie or lemon meringue cheesecake!

Recent Purchases - Primark, Superdrug, Bourjois and More

Just a handful of things this time!

I went to Primark, and bought basics, again. Everything I wear is basic! The pink pyjama top was £3, the white and 'seafoam' stretch vests were £2.50 each (I have about 12 of these now), and the polka dot t-shirt bras were also £2.50 each. I absolutely love Primark's t-shirt bras, so I'm glad they're bringing out a few more colours and patterns! I find that these fit perfectly and give a nice shape. They're also not padded, which I love. So many bras these days are padded out to the extreme, and that's just not something I want.

I picked up a couple more pairs of my Wilkinson exfoliating gloves for just £1 each. Amazing price, they do their job, and the colour is pretty :)

The beauty items you see are all from Superdrug this time. I bought the Superdrug Restoring Skin Care Oil for £3.79 (normally £5.69). This is supposed to be a dupe for Bio Oil, which I've never tried. I have a few stretch marks on my hip/bum area from filling out too fast, so thought I'd give this a go and see if it does anything! You can also use it on scars, blemishes, uneven skin tone, mature skin, and dehydrated skin. I then picked up another Superdrug Colour Effects Conditioning Colour in True Chestnut for £1.29. The Mahogany version of this was in my recent Empties post, which you can read here. Then, on a whim, I bought the new Collection Work The Colour Eyeshadow Pencils in Vanilla Sky and Hot Chocolate for £2.50 each (normally £3.19). I've already photographed and swatched these, so look out for a review soon! First impressions: They're creamy, pigmented, and don't budge once dry. I don't know if they crease or not, though, because I don't wear eyeshadow on my lids. Last, but certainly not least, I bought Bourjois' Rouge Edition Lipstick in Fraise Remix for £7.99. I've also taken photos of this, and that post should be up in a couple of days. Fraise Remix is a bright, very warm and yellow toned pink, which I have nothing like in my collection. My other pinks are a lot cooler in tone, which is odd because warm tones suit me better! At least, I think they do. After buying two Bourjois lip products in recent weeks, I'm craving more, so will see what shades take my fancy tomorrow and Wednesday when I'm in town.

And that's it! I mostly have lip product reviews and swatches scheduled for the rest of this week, but I'll probably have a few nail polish and baking ones thrown in, too! It's my blog's 4th birthday on Saturday, so I'm making cupcakes for the occasion (instead of just finding an image off of the internet like I've done for the past 3 years!).

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon in Peach on the Beach

These new offerings from Bourjois are getting a lot of hype, aren't they? To be honest, I only picked up this shade because it's different to any shade I've seen on the lip crayon market. The other shades didn't stand out enough for me to justify buying another at the time. Out of the 12 lip crayons I have, Peach on the Beach is definitely the most unique, being a beautiful peachy pink. The formula is light, so it doesn't feel like you're wearing anything, but the crayon still packs a punch in terms of pigmentation. It's slightly different to my others, in the sense that the colour is quite milky. I think this is down to the actual shade, though. And the fact that these are labelled as a lipstick, rather than a balm, tint, gloss etc. As you can see, it's glossy, but not sticky, and is one of the more hydrating lip crayons I own. I'd say the shine lasts for about an hour, and the colour lasts for a further hour or two (without eating or drinking). I've heard people saying that these Colour Boosts last longer than the Revlon Balm Stains, but I don't think so. The Revlon ones stain my lips a lot more (with them being a stain and all!). At £7.99, they're the same price as Revlon's offering, and I have no regrets. I'm not sure if I'd buy the other shades, though, unless there was an irresistible offer! Saying that, Red Sunrise looks pretty...

Do you own any of the Bourjois Colour Boost Glossy Finish Lipsticks?

Empties #002

Why I chose to number these with three digits, I do not know. I'm unlikely to even get to 10! I'm always unsure whether to post about my empties because on one hand: It's useful to see what products I actually use and love, but on the other: I think the products I use are boring, and it's obvious that I like them if I've used them up!

The first product I remembered to save for this post was the TRESemme Naturals Smooth Shampoo. I've bought this countless times because it just works for my hair! Repurchase? Already have!

Superdrug's Raspberry & Macadamia Nut Conditioner - I added this to my online basket on a whim because it was like 99p, and I'm glad I did. It smells so good! It's sweet, almost sherbet-y. I also like that it has a pump. In terms of conditioning, it worked well, too. Very impressed. Repurchase? Yes.

Superdrug's Coconut & Sweet Almond Intensive Conditioner - I bought this the same time as the raspberry one because it was 2 for £1.49. I've used this before and loved it. It smells amazing, and leaves my hair feeling really soft. Repurchase? Yes!

Aussie's Miracle Hair Insurance Leave In Conditioner - Another bottle down! Again, it smells amazing and leaves my hair soft. See? I told you my empties are boring! Repurchase? Already have :)

Liz Earle's Gentle Face Exfoliator - I was sent this some time last year, and actually finished it ages ago, but saved it for this post. It exfoliated quite well, and left my skin feeling soft because it's based in a cream similar to the Hot Cloth Cleanser. I wouldn't repurchase it, though, because it's more expensive than what I'd like to pay for an exfoliator, and I now use exfoliating gloves, sugar, or a flannel to rid me of dry skin (will do a post on this at some point).

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover - I've talked about this before, and still feel the same! It's my favourite nail polish remover, ever. It removes my polish well, and smells good for a remover. It may make my nails stronger and whiter, but I don't know for certain. Repurchase? Already have.

Lush's Ocean Salt Facial Scrub - I really liked this. Some say it's too rough, but I didn't think it was at all! I just had to close my mouth when rinsing it off because of the salt - Yuk! If I didn't use exfoliating gloves, sugar, and flannels to exfoliate, then I would repurchase this.

Superdrug's Colour Effects Conditioning Colour in Mahogany - I wrote a review on the Rich Red shade of this a few years ago (just search for it in the search bar to your left), and decided to use them again. This time I went for Mahogany, and I think I prefer it. It's still red, but it's much darker. It leaves my auburn locks with more intense red tones, which really come to life in the sun. Even with my long, thick hair, I got 3-4 uses out of this, and each use lasted around a week. Don't leave it on for 5 minutes like the bottle suggests, though. I leave mine on for 30 minutes, or 15 in the shower. Repurchase? Already have, but True Chestnut this time.

I hope that was of any use to you! My next empties post will probably be in a couple of months - I find it so hard to use things up! But a few products are already running out, so maybe I'll be posting sooner than expected. Enjoy your weekend!