Bucket list!

Everyone has a bucket list. Whether it's written down or just a list of things in your head that you would just LOVE to do, we all have one. Most bucket lists are comprised of things will be massively expensive to complete, for example skydiving. So we thought that we would come up with something a little more achievable for us to complete together.
So here's our list:

1 - Go somewhere new.
2 - Complete 10 random acts of kindness.
3 - Watch the top 5 Imdb recommended films.
4 - Watch the sunrise and the sun set in the same day.
5 - Cook Greek food.
6 - Throw someone a surprise party.
7 - Write 3 letters to famous people.
8 - Host a dinner party for our friends.
9 - Dress fancy and go somewhere fancy.
10 - Meditate.
11 - Time capsule.
12 - Become an organ donor.
13 - Get our legs waxed.
14 - Apply for a tv show.
15 - Go to the salon and get something done.
16 - Stick positive notes all around the city.
17 - Order a pizza with unusual toppings.
18 - Spend a day at the beach.
19 - Write a cute note and put it in a library book.
20 - Learn 5 yoga poses.
21 - write a post saying what we would do if we won 5 million pounds.
22 - Movie day with ALL of our friends.
23 - Get a job. (which will fund our shopping)
24 - Charity shop shopping. (which will supply our clothes for camp!)
25 - CAMP AMERICA!

So thats our list! Every time we complete one of these (or a few) we will write a blog post on them. Let us know what you have on your list!

Shabs xo

A few of our favourite things

As the new week begins, so does our latest blog post...

Hello to all of you awesome readers where ever in the world you may be, and whatever time it may be. So, on this dreary, wet, fathers day we are talking about our recommendations - as varied as they are. Both Abby and Shanice have picked a few of our favourite things. They're not quite brown paper packages tied up with string, but they're not far off. . .

Abby:

#1 Automatic, by Miranda Lambert.

This is her latest album, and although any country music fanatic already knows plenty about it, I felt it deserved a mention. Since it's release she had received quite a bit of bad press about this album, but the multi-CMA winning artist is still on her game in my opinion. 

If you want an album which tells a story from beginning to end then go and listen to The Outsiders by Eric Church. 

If you want traditional country then go an buy the new Johnny Cash album. 

However, if you want something which is a little different, then this is perfect. Sure, there are a couple of songs that are not really my favourite; Somethin' Bad, Little Red Wagon. Then there are the best songs; Girls, Priscilla, Babies Makin' Babies...

#2 AVEDA Light Elements Smoothing Elements.

I first got this amazing, god's gift of a serum last Christmas. I only got the miniature version, which lasted me a full year. But investing in the full size is well worth the steep price tag. This product is fantastic for the simple reason that for me it eradicated the need for hair straighteners. 

Proof of this fact is that they now live in my mum's room, and in the last year I think I've used them twice. My hair is so much healthier because of the lack of heat. I adore this product, it is simply fantastic. 

#3 Camden Market.

My third and final favourite of this post is Camden Market. It is located in London, and is an old horse market. Now though, it is a maze of winding streets, small vendors, and one off pieces. 

There are multiple cultures, from all over the world. If you go downstairs then there are all these little sellers who have the most beautiful lace and dresses. There are old second hand book sellers, the softest and most intricate scarves . . . 

Everything is beautiful, international and just magical. 

Shanice:

#1 INFERNO.
Now books are complicated for me. I am very fussy, and won't recommend a book unless I am in love with it. Well I am in love with INFERNO, written by Dan Brown. It is outstanding. It is set in Florence, Italy (a place I am now desperate to visit.) I love learning about any aspect of history, and felt very ignorant when I started to read this book and had no idea what the Divine Comedy was, but now after research I am thoroughly educated! It is something I would never have come across without this book and I'm thankful to have increased my knowledge.

The main plot is a Harvard professor wakes up in a hospital in florence with amnesia, with a few lines of dante's Inferno, part of the Divine Comedy to guide him as he tries to save the world from a terrifying threat. Now I'm rubbish at explaining things without giving it away so I can promise it's better than I made it sound!

#2 Real techniques expert face brush.
This is one of many brushes made by Samantha Chapman. This brush is UNREAL. It's another thing I'm in love with. I don't leave my house without it, ever. I first saw this brush being used in makeup tutorials by Tanya Burr (one of my favourite youtubers along with Zoe and Louise.) Seeing the great results it gave her, I then purchased one myself! It's the best decision I have ever made. It buffs my foundation onto my skin perfectly and even makes my awful reserve foundation (for when I've run out of my actual foundation) look good! The synthetic bristles make this easy to clean and gorgeously soft. I can't imagine ever using anything else to apply my foundation.

#3 Bransby home of rest for horses.
Everyone needs their little spot. This is mine. It is a horse and donkey sanctuary. They take in injured, abandoned, and unwanted animals in. I have a massive soft spot for animals, and I love being at this place surrounded by animals that have all come from awful sad backgrounds and are now safe and very happy.
You can walk around the entire place and not see another person, there are so many pathways between all the fields that you feel like you're the only person there. Its a serene, beautiful place. The staff are all incredibly friendly, and there is a cafe and gift shop, with all proceeds going towards keeping the place running. So if anyone ever needs a charity to raise funds for, this is a great one! They have two bases, these are at herefordshire and Lincoln. It's well worth a visit if you can get there, and beware you will come out stinking of horses as they all love a good scratch!

#4 Black Roses - Clare Bowen.
This girl's voice is incredible. The song is incredible. just please give this amazing song a listen!

Do you have any recommendations for us? Let us know!

Summer romance.

Hi guys. 

Well today we thought that we'd indulge you in our fantasies and ideas of our perfect date. The title obviously refers to the time of year that our 'perfect dates' would be set, because when else could a perfect date be other than summer (any other season if you ask Abby)?!

Shanice: 

So first things first, as every girl will agree clothes.
For a date I believe in dressing to impress, and staying classy.

This cut out skater dress from TopShop (£45)
is perfect. It's something I'd feel comfortable in,
and that's key to having a good time
anywhere!

Heels are a must for me.
They give me confidence, and
confidence is a must!
asos (£42)

As you can see I couldn't choose!
I'm obsessed with heels.
asos (£55)

Makeup:

I'd love to have my makeup done by a makeup artist for a date. I love having my makeup done by other people! I think I'd opt for a smokey eye, a decent amount of contouring (to give shape to my very round face) minimal blush and topped off with Tanya Burr picnic in the park lip gloss.

I suppose I should get into some detail about the actual date! 

Place: 

I'm in love with London, my birthplace, an amazing city. So It would either have to be there, or in the complete opposite, a quirky place in the middle of the countryside, because nothing is more beautiful.

Romantic or fun? 

I'm a romantic at heart. I want nothing more than someone to take me out to a quirky little place that they absolutely love. This is because I love seeing people be enthusiastic about things they love. It puts them in such a good mood and it's contagious. Instantly making for a better time.

Doing what?

Food, food, and more food. I believe dates are to spend quality time with your partner and for you both to be relaxed. While I do think it's great to shake things up and do different things, the classic meal out is perfect for me. 

With whom?

Since I'm in a relationship I should obviously say him! Although as much as I love him, I have celebrity crushes that I'd absolutely DIE to go on a date with! These include Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, and Liam Hemsworth. If I had to choose though it would be Ian Somerhalder, not only is he incredibly attractive and a great actor, he believes strongly in making this world a better place by reducing the impact we have on it. What he does is incredible and I admire him greatly.

Abby: 

So, for my clothes it would be all about wearing something that I feel would make me look good, but also that I am confident and not self conscious in. I also would pick something that allows them to see the real me. 

I'd definitely choose a dress, and I think
this cream lace dress is simple,
elegant and ever so pretty.
Debenhams (£45)

Because I'm always cold, I would put a shirt
open over my dress. Plus, it adds to the
country style. 

Because it's really important to feel happy in what
you are wearing i would wear my favourite
pair of boots. I do love my heels, and i wear them
at every chance i get, but i'm also conscious of being
taller than everyone else, so i would opt for these.
Skechers (£66)

Makeup: 

Unlike Shanice, i would do my own make up. I have had mine done before and it looked amazing, but I and terrible when it comes to people being near my eyes. It'd so simple and with what I know. Mascara, a touch of black liquid liner on either my eyelid or just under my eyes. Then, I'd go with a light dusting of shimmery shadow, a touch of blusher, and my Avon, Moonbeam lipstick. 

Place: 

Considering this is a fantasy, am I allowed to say Nashville? 

Fun or Romantic? 

I would like a little of both. I think if it was fun it would make it a lot less scary, but then again I'd love a romantic date! 

Doing what? 

It sounds cliché, and it's probably the result of listening to so much country music. I'd like to go to a country concert, not some big arena tour, but a small concert. Whom? Probably Eric Church, although I would not say no to seeing Frankie Ballard, Kip Moore or the Nashville cast either. (This would be the fun bit) Then I'd like to go somewhere quiet, like a park, and have a picnic (Romantic) on the grass - FOOD! This is the part which is in so many country song, and I guess it's just made me want to live it. 

With whom? 

Well unlike Shanice, I am single, so I don't have to say anyone in particular. And as there is no one who I can think of who I know, I'm going to say Sam Palladio (from ABC's Nashville, Jonathan Jackson (Nashville once more), or Michael Whetherly (NCIS). However, my first choice would be Sam Palladio, I think, because he is British, a fantastic actor and singer, but also seems like such a down to earth person. 

Who would your perfect date be with? Let us know!

Shabs xx