Oh heeyy, you guys!
Happy Friday! I'm not sure exactly when that happened?! I mean it was Monday, I blinked, and now here we are! I don't know about you guys, but at times, these winter months leaving me wanting for nothing more than a spot on a sunny beach... But I mean, failing that, I'll just hide away in my cosy bed! #reallife

With that in mind, we've collected a few of our faves to take February up a level, from hydrating lip balms to keep chapped lips firmly at bay and nude kohl eyeliners to brighten tired eyes, to our favourite shows to binge-watch while snuggled up on the sofa!

So grab yourself something tasty (personally I'm hitting up this Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie, SO good!), kick back and let us brighten your February!

This is an absolute necessity for me all year round, but especially at this time of year! With the harsh cold winds we've been having and the constant changes between the chilly outdoors and heated space, our lips need all the hydration they can get and lip balms are just getting better and better!

Right now I am ride-or-die for Burt's Bees, sure they appear like any old other lip balm, but man alive their formula is good. With a whole load of staying power, the rich balms are SUPER hydrating, smell like heaven on earth (Did someone say Blueberry and Dark Chocolate?!) and look beautifully matte on the lips.

That said, I also hear amazing things about the Clarin's Light Lip Comfort Oil (great to wear as an overnight treatment or as an emergency life-saver to prep your lips for lipstick!) as well as the super cute and perfectly compact EOS lip spheres (which come in every imaginable delicious favour!) so they're next on my to-try list!

Either way, keep that gorgeous pout ready to pucker for Feb 14th!

So, I have been just waiting for the right time to chat to you guys about this incredible brand, and I feel the time is nigh!

Meet Thimble and Bobbin, a ridiculously rad UK based Etsy shop specialising in 'Not So Wholesome Embroidery for the Sassy Gal'.

I discovered these little gems on Instagram years ago now, and let me tell you, the only problem you'll have is choosing which amazing piece to purchase, they're all so awesome.

Whether it's a good ol' dose of girl power you need, or a gangster song lyric to adorn your crib, Thimble and Bobbin have put it on an embroidery hoop and adorned it with flowers, and my gosh is that something we need in our lives!

Speaking of sassiness, I may or may not now be the proud owner of two tiny tattoos expressing my belief in equality and girl power! So if you're considering adding a little ink to your collection, why not make a statement with one of these rad little pieces...

Whether it's the timeless Venus symbol, or a more personal ink like Lena Dunham's 'Staunch' tattoo, of which she says:

Little Edie of Grey Gardens calls herself a "staunch character". It's a reminder to hold my ground like a tough old lady. - Daily Mail

...So whether you get inked to celebrate Galentine's day with your girl gang, or are just looking for a fun way to spend a rainy February Saturday afternoon, Feminist tattoos are just everything.

Ok, so we're a little late to the bandwagon with this one, but don't judge, January is a busy month in the wedding world, and we're here now!

If you're looking to spend the weekend curled up in bed on the sofa in your favourite Disney pyjamas elegant loungewear eating nohthing but pizza delicately sliced fruit... *Ahem* then Making a Murderer is the only show you need to binge watch.

But seriously, listen to Dean...

It's insane. Like, it's all me and my gals chat about right now, we're obsessed! Without spoiling too much, Netflix describe it:

Filmed over 10 years, this real-life thriller follows a DNA exoneree who, while exposing police corruption, becomes a suspect in a grisly new crime

You'll spend the entire time with your jaw on the floor, screaming 'Is this real life?!' but for real, it's addictive and you NEED to waste a weekend on it

Ahh does this even need an explanation?!

I mean, I know it's crazy early to be seeing Daffodils cropping up on my walks (!!?), but we are ALL about the cut flowers right now, bringing a colourful breath of Spring into our offices, kitchens, bedrooms... No really, they're in every room!

Ain't nothing like a bunch of fresh blooms to brighten up a grey February day!

Hashtag tulips for the win.

Oprah. I mean, OPRAH. The goddess that is! I could swoon for days...

Haha, ok get it together, Clare!

So, about Oprah's new book, check out the premise:

As a creative force, student of the human heart and soul, and champion of living the life you want, Oprah Winfrey stands alone. From all her experiences, she has gleaned life lessons - which, for 14 years, she's shared in O, The Oprah Magazine's widely popular 'What I Know For Sure' column, a monthly source of inspiration and revelation. Now, for the first time, these thoughtful gems have been revised, updated, and collected in 'What I Know For Sure'. Organized by theme - joy, resilience, connection, gratitude, possibility, awe, clarity, and power - these essays offer a rare, powerful and intimate glimpse into the heart and mind of one of the world's most extraordinary women, while providing readers a guide to becoming their best selves.

It'll uplift you, motivate you and be a source of guidance that you turn back to time and time again!

We are HUGE advocates of walking. Whys so much? Well, lemme tell ya!

• It's amazing anytime of year (really though, who actually enjoys a run when the rain's pelting in your face and you can't feel your toes)
• It's accessible (anywhere, anytime, with anyone!)
• ...Which therefore makes it achievable (especially seen as the Athleisure trend is here to stay, so we're all wearing gym gear anyway!)
• It's an easy habit to form (whether it's walking to work, or as small a change as parking the car a little further from the shops and walking in!)
• According to the NHS: 'Regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers.'
• It's a great time to practice Mindfulness
• Walking up hills? Oh hey buns of steel!

We love it, and we're sure you will too (if you don't already!)

Following that 5 mile walk you take (haha it's all about balance hey?!) you'll wanna chill in front of another show right?!

Now, I don't know if it's the rugged handsomeness of actor James Norton, the dreamy girl crush that is Lily James or that magical, snowy Russian setting... But BBC's adaptation of Tolstoy's War & Peace is giving us all the drama hits we need right now.

So, that's Sunday nights sorted!

Journalling. It's been on my to do list for years now, but just something that's never seemed achievable... I mean, #reallife who has time to write down the events of their entire day?!

I mean, I've tried, don't get me wrong, having learnt of the mindfulness benefits it was one of my resolutions for 2016 and I kept it up for the first 3 weeks of January, but I found the resulting 1am bedtime was taking its toll!

Enter stage left: the One Line a Day Journal.

Hero. We LOVE this concept, a line a day for 5 years, so you can compare the days through the years. Fascinating stuff and a great way to end (or start?!) everyday.

Last but most certainly not least, this little beauty trick has been making life a little lovelier all month!

Slept heavy?

Big night last night?

Struggling to shake off that cold?

Any one of the above and my eyes show the tell tale signs, they look a little duller, a little smaller ( I have big eyes so people always notice if I'm tired!) and just a little less sparkly...

Three words: Nude. Kohl. Eyeliner.

The holy grail! Simply swoosh Rimmel's Scandaleyes Kohl Eyeliner in shade 'Nude' (it's just a little softer/natural than a stark white) along your waterline and you'll find your eyes appear bigger, brighter, more awake and doe-eyed. Just YES.

Also, a little FYI, a nude eyeliner is a brilliant all-rounder (if your skin tone allows) you can use it to define brows, clean up a winged liner, highlight the inner corner of eyes or tidy up a dark lip colour... We can't live without it!

And that's it!

Hoping your February is just utterly lovely, now I gotta shoot, the moment I talk about nude eyeliner, I feel the need to go apply mine!

Have a good weekend guys, we'll see you on the flip side.

Peace + Love

Clare XO