Wednesday 26 October 2022

30 Films and TV Shows To Watch This Halloween (and where to find them!)

Halloween Films TV Shows To Watch

- Products marked with a * are PR samples, but sent under no obligation to review. -

Happy Hallo-week witches! It's become a yearly tradition of mine to share inspiration on what to watch this Halloween, whether it's a scary classic or a family friendly film, there's something for everybody. Grab your sweets, get a blanket and let's settle in for a film night marathon on the 31st. 

Nostalgic and Non-Spooky Favourites 

If you don't want to hide under your duvet this Halloween, then you may be better opting for a non-scary film to watch. I personally love an old, nostalgic film to watch when I want to carve my pumpkin or just relax. The new Hocus Pocus film is now out which is currently my next pick to watch. 

Hocus Pocus (Disney+)

Coraline (BBC iPlayer)

The Craft (Netflix)

Halloweentown (Disney+)

The Addams Family (Prime)

Scooby Doo The Movie (NOW TV*)

Casper (Prime)

Zombieland (NOW TV*)

Knives Out (Prime)

Shaun of The Dead (Prime/NOW TV*)

TV Shows To Binge Watch

If you've got some extra time between now and Halloween, you may want to binge watch a TV show before the 31st. Some series be longer than others, but I do love having picking and choosing my favourite episodes from my TV shows. 

American Horror Story (Disney+)

Ghosts (BBC iPlayer)

Stranger Things (Netflix)

The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)

The Walking Dead (Disney+)

Scream Queens (Disney+)

Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix)

The Vampire Diaries (Netflix/Prime)

Black Mirror (Netflix) 

Scary Films 

Whether you're a slasher film lover, psychological thriller buff or a paranormal enthusiast, then there's going to be a film for you this Halloween. I feel like this time of the year is perfect for watching the old classics, but if you want jump scares that get your heart racing, then you may prefer the newer releases. 

Scream (NOW TV*)

Midsommar (Netflix)

28 Days Later (Disney+)

Sinister (Netflix)

Paranormal Activity (NOW TV*)

Escape Room (Netflix)

The Purge (NOW TV*/Prime)

Ready or Not (Disney+)

Life (NOW TV*/Netflix)

Woman In Black (NOW TV*/Netflix)

Insidious (NOW TV*/Netflix)


What are you watching this Halloween? 

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Thursday 20 October 2022

Autumn Skincare Routine

Autumn skincare routine

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR product, but sent under no obligation to review. All links are affiliate links. -

It's finally time to share with you my updated skincare routine, a regime I've been tweaking for a little while now. I absolutely love trialling new products and finding the best ones for my skin, but I feel like I've settled into an Autumn routine that really works for me. With so many products on the market, I know it can feel overwhelming trying to create a routine, but if you're looking for new recommendations, then look no further. 

I start off with an old classic - the Garnier Micellar Water. I've tried all the different types of versions, but it's the original that I keep coming back to. It's great for removing mascara and breaking down the first layer of makeup before going in with my double cleanse. 

I went into the shop to find a replacement for my balm cleanser, but came out the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser with little to no knowledge of how well it's been reviewed or how it's supposed to perform. I've actually had really good results from using it over the last couple of months as it gets rid of most of my makeup, whilst never leaving my skin feeling greasy nor stripped of moisture. 

For my second cleanse, I've still been using the E45 Face Foaming Cleanser*, a product I did an Instagram AD for, but has become a staple in my Autumn skincare routine. My skin gets rather sore and easily irritable in the transitional period between seasons, but this has made my time so much easier. It's simple and gentle, yet still works to create a lather that removes the final traces of makeup I have on. 

I've currently lost count of how many tubs of Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream I've made my way through, but it's seriously one of the best if you've got dehydrated skin. I often find myself with extremely dry patches in the transitional and Autumn months and although this cream is super thick which may put some people off, I find that it makes my skin feel softer and look smoother with continued use. 

Autumn skincare routine

For my day cream, I've been using the Erborian Bamboo Crème Frappée* which I've got to admit I didn't think I'd enjoy as much as I have been doing. It's got a thin, gel like consistency which is something I know my Summer skin would love, but in the colder months, I didn't think it was going to deliver the amount of moisture my skin needs. How wrong was I? It's whipped texture, cool feel and fast absorbing formula perks up my skin in the morning, making it perfect for wearing underneath makeup and creating a good base. 

If my skin needs an extra boost of hydration, I have been reaching for the Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask which if you've been reading my blog or any reviews for some time, then you've probably heard about it before. It's got a quite the following as it's super nourishing, smells almost edible and can be worn for 10 minutes for a quick mask or left overnight for an intensive treatment. 

When it comes to eye creams, I tend to dip in and out of them as I please, never really sticking to one. I don't necessarily feel like that's a bad thing as sometimes I want a product that'll be super nourishing, whereas other times I want one that's brightening. The Pixi Collagen Eye Serum* is a new one that's been added to my routine and it's unlike anything I've tried before. Often I'm not convinced with products that say they offer 'skin firming' results, but this one really feels (and looks!) like it works. It's smooths and tightens the under eye without making it feel dehydrated, working perfectly underneath makeup or left to work it's magic overnight. 

Sometimes the best products are the ones that surprise you and the Pixi Collagen Lip Gloss* was one that I was left smitten by from first use. In the colder months, I have to use lip balm as my lips get so chapped, but I'd never even considered using a lip gloss to do this job. In fact I was rather turned off by this idea as lip gloss and the inevitable scarf wearing didn't sound like a match made in heaven. The texture is perfect, offering up shine without stickiness and my favourite part is I never feel like I'm wearing anything. The only downside is that I feel like it's a little on the small size and I wish it was bigger! 

What's your favourite skincare product this Autumn? 

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Saturday 15 October 2022

Pumpkin Shaped Halloween Cookie Recipe

Pumpkin Shaped Halloween Cookie Recipe

Pumpkin Shaped Halloween Cookie Recipe

I can't tell you how long I've wanted to try those Pumpkin sugar cookies by Pillsbury, but as someone who lives in the UK, I can't get my hands on any. I spotted the idea of making my own from the 'Sugar Spun Run' blog post and I just knew I had to turn my hand to them. 

I have made both an Instagram reel and Tik Tok to visually support this recipe, but if you're looking for direct instructions, then look no further. This recipe is delicious and once you get your head around the design shape - it's actually fairly easy to make! 

I cannot compare my recipe to the classic cookie as I haven't tasted them, but I used a classic shortbread-like dough as I found it to be buttery and soft, but without falling apart. The dough I used also works well with gel food colouring, so it doesn't make it tough to eat or hard to mould. 

Ingredients (Makes 40) 

240g Butter

110g Caster Sugar

360g Flour

Vanilla Extract

Green gel food colouring

Orange gel food colouring

Method

Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the vanilla extract. 

Add in the flour and fold into the mixture slowly. 

Once a dough has formed, take out 1/4 of your dough (should be a fist worth) and place it into a separate bowl. Add your orange gel food colouring to the bowl and mix in to the dough until all of it has been covered.

Take 1tbsp of the uncoloured dough and place into another bowl. Add green food colouring to the dough and mix until the colour is smooth. 

Roll out the orange dough into a log shape. You may want to separate it into two pieces to make it easier to manage. 

Use a skewer, create an indent at the top. This is where the green 'stem' will go.

Roll the green dough into a strip and place in the indent you just made.

With the remaining uncoloured dough, wrap the dough around your pumpkin shaped log. Slightly roll the dough to make sure that all seams are smooth. 

Place into the fridge for 2-3 hours until firm. 

Pre-heat the oven to 180c and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.

Using your refrigerated dough, slice the dough up and evenly spread them on your baking tray. 

Bake for 10 minutes and allow to cool. Enjoy!

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Tuesday 11 October 2022

Lush Halloween 2022 Collection

Lush Halloween 2022 Collection Review

A yearly tradition of mine has been to shop the latest Lush Halloween collection. This year, 2022 has offered up some new pieces that I couldn't wait to try as well as old favourites I happily welcomed back. If you're looking to shop for yourself or a loved one this Halloween season, then I hope you find some inspiration in this post. 

The 'I Want My Mummy' is the newest bath bomb I've added to my stash, but it instantly felt familiar. I noticed that it is reminiscent of the previous Christmas bath bomb, Butterbear and of course that explained why I loved it so much. Although it's not got the incredible display in the bath like other Lush products have, the chunks of cocoa butter in it paired with a delicious, yet delicate caramel scent makes for quite the luxurious and moisturising experience. 

Would it be a Lush Halloween haul without featuring Punkin Pumpkin? It's a yearly favourite of mine and I hope they never get rid of it as I not only love the cinnamon and orange scent, the exterior with the jack o lantern face is just perfect for this time of the year! 

Another must have I come back to year upon year is the Ghostie Bath Bomb. It's so beautiful to watch as it creates a colourful foam in the bath, but it's the scent that I love so much. It smells like a classic sherbet from the sweet shop which is uplifting and nostalgic - great for if you're looking for a pick me up.  

I've got two new shower products to share, the first being the Tarantula Shower Jelly which not only smells incredible, it's super fun to play around with. It's got a cherry scent with shimmering glitter in the jelly itself. It lathers up in the shower easily and you can just pop it back into the tub it comes in when you're done. I always find that I got so many uses out of the Lush reusable products and this is no exception. 

The second shower product is the Lord of Misrule shower gel which you'll be surprised to know that this year is my first time trying it out. It's earthy with notes of black pepper and patchouli, so it's unlike anything else I've tried before. It lingers on the skin for hours after use and the green colour definitely makes it fitting for the spooky season. 

Have you picked up anything from the Lush Halloween collection?

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Monday 3 October 2022

5 Books To Read This Autumn

Halloween Autumn Fall Books To Read

Halloween Autumn Books To Read

- All links in this blog post are affiliate links. For more info head to my disclaimer. -

I've always felt like Autumn is the perfect time of the year to settle down on a rainy evening to read a new book -  if it's also accompanied by snacks and a warm drink, then count me in! I personally love my books to have a spooky element to them, the further underneath the covers I want to go, the better. If you're looking for some Autumn reading inspiration, then here are five books to read this season. 

Small Spaces

Middle grade books are aimed for readers aged between 8 and 12 years old, but are often overlooked when it comes to Autumn and the spooky season. Never underestimate just how scary they can be and as they often come in shorter novel form that makes it easier to get through and perfect for cuddling up with on a rainy afternoon. 

Small Spaces was a book I picked up on the whim after successfully loving a similar book called The Haunting of Aveline Jones last year and I'm so happy I did. It's got spooky scarecrows and all of the Halloween vibes to get you through until the 31st. 

The Spirit Engineer 

If you're looking for a spooky book that won't keep you up at night, then I would recommend checking out The Spirit Engineer. It's actually based on a true story and although it has an unsettling plot, I kept wanting to turn each page until I got to the end. It's got paranormal themes, so perfect for an October evening under the covers. 

Home Before Dark

Home Before Dark has been on my to-read list for a couple of years now and I finally got around to reading it the other month. It felt like the perfect book for the time of the year and although it definitely has horror elements to it throughout, it's ultimately a thriller which I really enjoyed. It's got haunted house and paranormal themes which is great for the lead up to Halloween. 

The Bone Houses

Reading about zombies or in this book "bone houses" have never really appealed to me, as much as I enjoy the odd ridiculous zombie film, I never saw myself enjoying a book dedicated to them. The Bone Houses was a great read though and definitely exceeded my expectations. Set in a sleepy town called Colbren, a gravedigger and a map maker have to work together to stop the bone houses from taking over. 

The Silent Companions 

I had to feature The Silent Companions in this line up as it was one of my favourites from last Autumn. It's a book set in a haunted old house which perfectly offers up that classic horror film vibe. Throughout the book, there's a moody feel which is great for Autumn and Winter, plus the story, which is set over three time periods, helps to keep you to stay engaged and keep turning the pages.

What are your favourite books to read in Autumn? 

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