Benefit Roller Lash Mascara Review

Hey there!
So I have been seeing reviews of this mascara literally everywhere, and it's been getting some fairly positive reviews!

So when I realised I was running out of mascara (and that's a serious emergency for someone with blonde eyelashes), I decided to pay the Benefit counter a little visit. 

I was feeling a little sceptical about it at first because I usually don't go for over-publicised makeup items as I feel like usually they tend to be overrated. Plus, over the years I've found a number of favourites that I just keep coming back to time and time again.

But I decided to be brave and branch out a little

So here is my review of the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara.

The mascara is relatively pricy at ‎‎‎£19.50 in the UK, however it corresponds with regular benefit prices. For a good quality mascara that will last you quite a long time it is a fairly reasonable price.

The mascara claims to be able to replace eyelash curlers by giving your eyelashes a visible lift, whilst curling them and visually opening the eyes. 

The wand is quite a small one, with a slight curve and silicone bristles. This is the main reason I was unsure about the mascara - I tend to prefer thicker brushes with bristles. But hey, I'm all about trying new things lately. The curve seemed to be perfect for the effect the mascara claimed to offer - lift and curl. 

So here is a demonstration of the mascara on my lashes. I naturally do not have very thick or long lashes so the mascara makes a fairly visible difference. 

This is the result of applying 2 coats of mascara. I feel like it does curl them a fair amount, whilst giving them some thickness and lift. 

I do wish it separated the lashes a little better, but since that's not one of the claims Benefit makes for it I can't blame them. Just a personal criticism. 

For everyday wear, it is dramatic enough to wear on its own without eyeliner, but paired with nice eye-makeup it would make a great evening look as well. 

I will definitely continue using the mascara, and see if it wins my heart over completely. For now though, I do think it is money well spent as it does what it promises you and seems to stay on for a long period of time (which is very important if your lifestyle is anything like mine and involves being out and about most of the day). 

What do you think? Does it do what the package promises? Will you be buying the mascara any time soon too? 

Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, 

Sofia xx

Piccolino Restaurant Review | Leeds

Hey There!

I feel like I need to post a bit of an update since recently I've had quite a lot going on.

Between choosing a new house for next year (as well as housemates), my mum coming to visit me, and general university stress I've been super busy lately!

So one of the highlights of the past week or so was my mum coming to see me for a couple of days to spend her birthday with me, which has been really lovely!

My mum and I are really close and I thought I'd do something nice for her to make sure she has a lovely birthday.

So on Monday I decided to take her out for a nice meal at an Italian restaurant called Piccolino.

It is part of chain called Individual Restaurants, which operate around the UK. 

I had been there once before and absolutely loved it, which made me want to come back and then share this with others!

Upon arriving there, we were greeted by a maitre who offered to take our coats and then showed us to our table. It was a Monday evening so the place was quite empty, allowing us to have a quiet dinner. 

We ordered a bottle of rosé prosecco to celebrate the occasion, and it was a nice addition to the overall sophisticated ambiance of our dining experience. 

We were given complimentary olives and some delicious fresh bread with olive oil to dip it into. It was hard to resist eating it all, but we had to make room for the actual food. 

We order a starter to share, and although we were tempted to try everything on the menu, we settled for a simplistic, but yet delicious dish of melon wrapped in prosciutto. 

It was light and refreshing, and whilst it is a simple dish it is nevertheless an Italian staple.

Next, we were brought our main course dishes. I decided to try the Risotto con Zucca - risotto with butternut squash and parma ham, garnished with crispy prosciutto and gorgonzola cheese. My mum chose another delicious dish - the Ravioli al Granchio. Handmade ravioli, stuffed with hand-picked crab, served with olive oil, garlic and chilli. I had to try a bit of hers just because of how decadent it sounded, and I was equally impressed with both dishes. 

The ravioli were large and had a fantastic dough-to-crabmeat ratio, where you could really distinguish the flavour of the decadent meat. The fact that it was served without an overpowering dressing was perfect. 

The risotto was smooth and creamy, yet still al dente as it should be. The butternut squash added to the creaminess, whilst the parma ham gave it a subtle smoky taste, perfectly accompanying the kick that the gorgonzola provided. 

Both dishes were served hot, flavours smoothly melting together to create a beautiful concoction. We opted for small portions, which were enough to fill us both up considering we had the starter as well. 

After we had finished our meal, we were given the desert menu and there were a lot of things that tempted me, such as the molten chocolate cake served with caramel ice cream, and the passionfruit cheesecake. 

However, before I could make my mind up, they brought out a large plate with a sparkler, some chocolate truffles and a chocolate writing saying "Happy Birthday Maria!" It was such a lovely touch and put a huge smile on my mum's face, which truly wrapped up our wonderful evening. 

I will definitely be coming back there for another special treat, especially since the price to quality ratio is very reasonable and you get what you pay for. The staff were very polite and friendly, and we never felt rushed or neglected. 

I hope you've enjoyed this restaurant review, as I'm hoping to be writing a lot more of these in the future!

Until Next Time, 

Sofia xx

Get to know me tag!

Hey there!

So I thought I haven't written a blog post in while because of all my university deadlines.

And since I'm still terribly busy most of the time, I thought I could do a fun 25 questions tag thing in which I can hopefully tell you guys a little bit about myself. 

Here it is:

1: Do you have any pets ?
Sadly, no. Since I am at university we aren't allowed to keep pets in the house, but hopefully one day I'll be able to get a puppy!

2: Name three things that are physically close to you?
My phone, a cup of hot chocolate and a Yankee candle

3: What’s the weather like right now ?
Terrible! It's really rainy and cold outside so I'm having a nice night in.

4: Do you drive ? If so, have you crashed?
I do! I managed to finally get my driver's license in January, and thankfully haven't crashed yet.

5: What time did you wake up this morning ?
Around 11, I thought I'd allow myself to have a nice lie in this morning

6: When was the last time you showered ?
This morning :)

7: What was the last movie that you saw ?
I have been mainly watching TV shows recently, so the last film I saw was "50 Shades of Grey"
(click link to read my review of it!)

8: What does you last text message say?
"No worries" to my housemate.. not too exciting

9: What is your ringtone ?
The classic iPhone ringtone, although my phone is always on vibrate

10: Have you ever been to a different country?
Yes I have, and I used to travel quite a lot when I was younger, hopefully soon I can start travelling more again!

11: Do you like sushi?
LOVE sushi. Genuinely one of my favourite foods.

12: Where do you buy your groceries?
I'm a poor student so I order most of my stuff off ASDA, but I do try to buy fruit and vegetables from the local market.

13: Have you ever taken any medication to help you fall asleep faster?
I have, mainly to fight jetlag or when I'm feeling very anxious about something.
Question 14: How many siblings do you have ?
None :) I'm an only child

15: Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?
Laptop

16: How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
20, which terrifies me! I do not feel that age

17: Do you wear contacts or glasses ?
Neither, I am very lucky to have perfect vision

18: Do you colour your hair ?
No, my hair is naturally very blonde and whilst I've considered dying it a different colour I don't have the guts to do it

19: Tell me something you are planing to do today
Work on my French presentation and cook myself a yummy dinner

20: When was the last time you cried?
Sometime this week, it was a very emotional Vampire Diaries episode.

21: What is your perfect pizza topping?
Ham and mushrooms and a LOT of cheese

22: Which do you prefer, hamburger or cheeseburger ?
Cheeseburger, is that even a question?

23: Have you ever had an all-nighter ?
A few times

24: What is your eye colour ?
I'd say hazel, although loads of people think they're brown

25: Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke?
Yes. Pepsi tastes like deceit.

Until Next Time, 

Sofia xx

5 Morning Habits to Motivate You For The Day

Hey There!
We all have those days where we wake up and just don't have the desire to do anything that day. I get it - I go through that at least once a week. And sure, we all deserve to have a lazy Sunday once in while where we can spend the day in our PJ's, eat Ben and Jerry's and watch embarrassing amounts of Netflix. And you shouldn't feel guilty about that - we've all been there. 

But what about the rest of the time? 

How can we motivate ourselves to be productive on days where nothing seems to be working in our favour? 

I've recently been working on ways to start the day off on a positive, energetic note and come up with a few useful techniques. Now, these may not work for everyone, but they've worked for me, so why not give it a try?  

1. Make a list of things you want to accomplish the night before.

Keep this list short and relatively simple, and don't forget to include some things to look forward to, whether it is meet up with a friend for coffee, or have a nice hot bath with a bath bomb from Lush. I like to decorate mine with some pretty drawings and leave it by my bed so I can look at it as soon as I wake up. This will keep you on schedule and motivate you to get more done. 

2.  Keep a glass of water by your bed. 

A cold refreshing drink in the morning will provide you with energy as well as helping you rehydrate yourself before you even get out of bed. For me, I feel like this really helps me wake up faster and get my mind focused on getting on with the rest of my morning ritual. 

3. Spend the first few minute lying in bed without checking your phone or laptop. 

I've been there - reaching for my phone to check for any messages, Facebook notifications and Instagram updates before I've even fully opened my eyes. Try to stop yourself from doing that and spend a few minutes just thinking about what the day will bring you. Allow yourself to wake up properly and think about the simple things before diving head first into the whirlpool of social media. You have all day to do that - treasure those simple morning moments. 

4. Think of 5 reasons to be happy that day. 

This sounds super cheesy, I'm aware. But it really works. I've been doing this for a week or so and this really puts me in a better mood. Rather than thinking of all the deadlines I have to meet, the dreaded gym session I have to drag myself to, I like to think of all the things that make me happy. It can be absolutely anything - that warm bowl of porridge I will be having for breakfast, or the fact that it's finally sunny outside, or perhaps writing a new blogpost. (That was one of mine this morning)

5. Take a few moments to stretch once you're out of bed. 

Whilst a couple of nice thoughts can get your mind going in the morning, the way to get the body working is a nice quick stretch. During the night, our bodies can get all stiff, especially if you haven't slept right. It only takes a couple of minutes to reawaken our muscles.

I hope that these tips can help some of you, and make those mornings less "ugh" and more "yay"!

What are some of your morning rituals that help you get on with the day? Let me know down in the comments!

Until Next Time, 

Sofia xx

50 Shades of Grey Review

Hey There!

So last night I finally went to see the movie that everyone has been talking about - 50 Shades of Grey.

After hearing a number of mixed reviews ranging from "I absolutely loved it" to "it was the worst film I've ever seen", I really wanted to just see what it was like for myself so I'd be able to judge it from my own experience.

Honestly, I went in with extremely low expectations - I was more looking forward to having a nice evening out with my girlfriends and devouring large quantities of popcorn. (Also, watching the trailers before the movie - one of the main reasons for me to go to the cinema in the first place.)

Anyway, I digress. 

I had not read the books, but much like everyone, I knew the gist of it. It's an 18+ film and we were asked for ID's upon purchasing our tickets, but nevertheless I knew they couldn't quite show the same amount of graphic details on the big screen as they apparently showed in the books. 

In the first 10 minutes of the film, I already predicted my overall reaction. 

Terrible acting, terrible plot and really terrible screenplay. 

Granted, the last bit wasn't the filmmakers fault - there's only so much you can get out of a bad book. 

The choice of actors was appropriate, but not spectacular. Yes, Jamie Dornan is incredibly hot and we all loved seeing him naked - let's be honest. But he just didn't quite seem right for the part of Christian Grey - he didn't appear to have that dark depth of character that the part implied. 

Dakota Johnson was a good choice for the part of Anastasia Steele - but once again, I wasn't blown away. 

As for the sex scenes (which is the main reason the franchise has gained so much popularity) weren't a complete disappointment, all things considered. They did their best, I suppose. The whole BDSM thing was made quite explicit, but not overly graphic. However, I just didn't see enough chemistry between Jamie and Dakota - they didn't have that uncontrollable passion that you expect from a movie where sex essentially drives the entire plot. 

The ending was abrupt and that worked well - I am slightly intrigued to see what happens next (no spoilers please). 

Overall, I'd say go see it once, just to stay in the loop and know what everyone's talking about. I doubt I'll be rewatching it at any point though, that's for sure.

Until Next Time, 

Sofia xx

Liebster Award

Hey There!

So the lovely Here I Scribble has nominated me for the Liebster award and I am ever so grateful - thank you so much!

Here are the rules:

• Mention/thank/tag the blogger who nominated you.
• Explain the rules for the next lucky nominees.- Answer the questions given to you.
• Nominate and link blogs with less than (200) followers.
• Post 11 questions of your own.
• Notify bloggers that they have been nominated.
• Also: you may want to display the award on your blog — by including it in your post and/or displaying it using a “widget” or a “gadget”.

The answers to the questions I was asked: 

1. What was the last picture you took? It was a picture of a meal I cooked for myself last night- it was not a photogenic one so I will not post it here!
2. What was the last lie you told? I told someone I was away this weekend where in reality I am not - I just did not want to see that person and did not want to hurt their feelings!
3. What's the best compliment you ever received? I was once told by someone that I had the most beautiful eyes in the world. 
4. What cheers you up? Friends (the TV show), my actual friends, macarons, sunshine. 
5. What is your favorite food? Hmm, I have so many! I guess if I had to choose it would be pelmeni - a Russian variation of dumplings. They send me right back to childhood!
6. What's your best childhood memory? I have a very clear one from when I was 5. It was my birthday and we were on our way to pick up my new puppy - and the minute I saw him I named him after my favourite cartoon character
7. What is your strongest personal quality? Stubbornness. I will insist on being right till the end and can't stand being told otherwise. However, I do reflect on the criticisms and later apologise if I was wrong. 
8. What does your perfect day look like? Wake up, go to the beach, sip on cocktails and have paella. Then, go home, spend time with my family, and later have a nice relaxing night out with my friends!
9. What was your favorite holiday? Going to Mexico in 2012 - one of the most relaxing holidays, and in a truly beautiful place!
10. If you could live anywhere, where would that be? So far, I'd have to say somewhere in the Caribbean. I just love the tropical weather. 
11. Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise. Nothing more amazing than staying up all night just to witness the first rays of sunshine!

Questions for you guys: 

1. Do you prefer tea or coffee? 
2. Sweet or savoury pancakes? 
3. What physically attracts you in a boy/girl?
4. Club nights or house parties?
5. Are you a morning or a night person?
6. Team sports or individual sports? 
7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 
8. What is the one movie you can watch over and over again? 
9. Are you a dog or a cat person?
10. Do you prefer cooking or baking? 
11. What was your nickname when you were younger? 

I nominate:

Coffee with Ree

The French Way

What the Elle

Shop Thrifting

All That B - Beauty, Baby, Food & Lifestyle

I look forward to reading all of your answers!

Pancake Recipe | Russian Blinis

Hey There!

So today is Shrove Tuesday, or as it's better known - pancake day!

It is the day we can all stop counting calories and let ourselves indulge in the deliciousness of this simple, multicultural dish. Whether you prefer them sweet or savoury (or both), this recipe will work for you.

I am Russian by origin, and in my country we don't have pancake day - we take it to a whole new level and celebrate pancake week. The celebration is is called Maslenitsa (butter week), and it originated from a pagan tradition of saying goodbye to Winter and saying hello to Spring. Anyway, like we need an excuse to have pancakes!

So I thought I'd share this recipe with you all - and let you come up with any toppings you could possibly with for! My personal favourites are condensed milk for a sweet option, or sour cream and smoked salmon for a savoury option (don't knock it till you try it!)

You will need:

1. 500 ml of milk
2. 3 eggs
3. 280 g of flour
4. 1-2 tbsp of sugar (I'd recommend 1 for the savoury options, and 2 for the sweet ones)
5. 1 tsp of salt
6. 3 tbsp vegetable oil
7. Butter (for coating the pancakes)
8. Any toppings you desire!

Method:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar and salt. Mix until the eggs are beaten, but don't mix completely at this stage
2. Add about 200 ml of milk and mix it in
3. Add the flour and whisk it in
4. Add the remaining milk and mix through
5. Add the vegetable oil
6. Allow the mixture to stand for about 15-20 mins
7. Heat up your pan (preferably one with a heavy base) and cover it with a thin coat of vegetable oil. Tip: dip a clean sponge into some oil and use it to coat the pan. This will make sure you don't use up too much oil and distribute it evenly
8. Using a ladle, pour the mixture onto the pan and move the pan around slightly to allow the mixture to spread 
9. Cook until the edges have started to turn crispy, and then flip the pancake using a thin spatula
10. Allow it to cook a little longer, before placing it on a plate and coating it with some butter
11. Continue to do so until you've used up the mixture! Tip: to keep the pancakes warm, keep them in the oven preheated to 80-90℃

So that's it! I hope you guys enjoy making them! Let me know what you guys like to put on your pancakes in the comments. Happy pancake day!

Until next time, 

Sofia xx

50 Shades of Red | Finding The Perfect Red Lipstick

Hey There!

So today I thought I'd write a post on finding the perfect red lipstick. 

Finding the perfect shade can be difficult, especially considering how many options there are out there: the blood red, the cherry red, the burgundy, the matte, the glossy...

But a red lipstick can really enhance your makeup look and add a pop of colour when you need it. This is especially relevant in the winter months where amongst the darkness and the greyness of the surroundings all you really want is that splash of colour. 

Now, I am very pale in the winter months, and that's when I wear my red lipstick the most. I feel like it contrasts well with the white slate that is my skin. 

In the summer, I tend to go for lighter colours and more natural looks. But if I do feel like spicing up the look a little bit, a bright red is my best friend.

So below I will show you some of my all-time favourite shades. 

1. MAC's matte lipstick "Diva"

Ok, so this one is an absolute winner for me. I spent the longest time searching for a dark red lipstick colour that is matte, stays on well and doesn't smudge. Diva does all of those things and looks great with a light eye-makeup and a natural contouring. 

2. NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in No. 704 "Flamboyant Red"

This one makes the list mainly because of its colour payoff and its easy application. It is a bright glossy colour, but it does smudge quite easily. 

3. Lancome Colour Lip Fever in No. 120 "Red en Vogue" 

This is one of my oldest red lipsticks, and I still absolutely love it! The colour is rich, a very "true" red. It looks amazing paired with with a neutral eye makeup and a peachy blush. 

4. NYX Round Case Lipstick in No. 545 "Hero" 

This one is a little bit different to the rest of the lipsticks in this post. It is more of a berry red, rather than a true red, and I came across it when I was trying to find the perfect dark red colour (See MAC Diva above). Although this wasn't quite the colour I expected judging by the packaging, I grew to love it!

So there it is - my top 4 red lipsticks!

Hope you guys enjoyed this post and that it helped some of you discover your perfect shade!

Let me know your top picks in the comments!

Until next time,

Sofia xx

The Ultimate Salad Recipe

Hey There!

So today I thought I'd make a food post because well, food. We all love it and personally I really enjoy coming up with simple new recipes that I can just throw together in under 15 minutes. 

Seeing as summer is coming up soon, and I want to look my best in a bikini, I have been trying out a lot of healthy recipes. And whilst I've been seeing a lot of healthy food blogs around, a lot of them use ingredients that the majority of us will not find in our fridge or the nearest convenience store. 

So I've been experimenting the salad and as of today, we have a winner!

The bacon, egg and tomato salad! 

(Yes it has bacon in it, which instantly makes it amazing. And yes it is still healthy because there isn't that much bacon involved)

You will need:

• Wild rocket salad
• 1 Egg
• 2 strips streaky bacon (or as I like to call it, the only bacon that should be produced)
• 1/2 a small cucumber
• 1 tomato
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

The ingredients are extremely simple and easy to find, and perfect for those on a budget

Method: 

1. Start off by boiling an egg. Fill a saucepan with just enough water to cover the egg, put it on the stove and allow it to boil. I like my eggs just slightly undercooked - enough for it to be cut and placed in a salad, but not fully hardboiled. My trick for that is, once the water is boiling, allow it boil for 6-7 minutes before placing the egg in ice-cold water to stop it from cooking and allowing it to cool. 
2. Meanwhile, cut up the bacon into small pieces. Place it in a frying pan with no oil/butter and let it cook to your liking. Me, I like it crispy. Once it is cooked, place the bacon pieces on a paper towel and dab it to soak up the extra fat
3. Cut up the tomatoes and the cucumber into small pieces
4. Take a bowl, and cover the bottom with rocket leaves. Then, add your tomatoes and cucumber. Then, sprinkle the bacon bits. 
5. Once your egg has cooled down, cut it into strips and lay it on top of your salad
6. Coat with olive oil and season to taste

And tada! The ultimate salad. So delicious you'll want to make it everyday. 

Until Next Time, 

Sofia xx

Trip To Harrogate

Hey There! 

So I thought I'd do a short travel post about my trip to Harrogate. 

Located just 30 minutes from Leeds, Harrogate is a perfect destination for a day trip. It is a beautiful spa town, which has preserved all of its old-fashioned charm and the true essence of Yorkshire.

Our first stop was at Betty's Tearooms - a must-visit for everyone who visits this delightful little town. 

With an incredible selection of teas, coffees, and of course the vast array of fresh cakes and deserts, it is a treat that everyone should allow themselves. They also offer a traditional high tea, with a selection of miniature pastries, scones and sandwiches

I decided to go for an open faced Waldorf Salad sandwich and a jasmine tea with honey - delicious! And of course, being a total sucker for chocolate I could not resist desert. My choice of a raspberry and dark chocolate rich cake did not disappoint! 

The town is not only a gastronomical heaven for the foodies out there, but also a treasure chest of culture and history.  There are also a number of ancient castles in the Harrogate area, some of which dating back as far as the XI century – definitely worth a visit for those interested in British history. 

It was a truly wonderful day and I had such fantastic time! Definitely recommend it if you're ever in Yorkshire

Until next time!

Sofia xx