Sunday 29 June 2014

Lemon my cello

Happy Sunday everyone, 

this post is long awaited I'm sure as I promised it almost a whole month ago! My friends are probably sick to the back teeth of receiving limoncello as gifts but i am plundering on regardless! I have also infused some other alcohol but with less success - i will tell my tale if anyone cares.

Anyways time for some cheap vodka drink for your belly...

disclaimer: this takes a week to make so don't get too excited initially

Ingredients
70cl of vodka (any kind cheap is fine)
10 lemons
glass jars for infusing (i use Ikea ones - you know the sort)
glass bottle for presentation (again Ikea)
sugar (any kind it will dissolve) 
water
muslin cloth for straining (you can use a clean tea towel if no muslin)

Step 1: remove the peel from the lemons (try not to include the white pith) - you don't need the actual lemons or lemon juice - so think of some other recipe as not to waste, or keep them thinking you'll do this then bin them one week later like me.

Step 2: put the lemon peel and vodka into infusing jar and leave for minimum 5 days and maximum one month. 


One week later...

Step 3: the lemon vodka will now be a lovely yellow colour so strain through the muslin cloth into a bowl and throw away the peel as it will now be vodka flavoured so no use. 
Step 4: heat one cup of water with minimum half cup of sugar and maximum one cup (if you need more liquid to fill your final bottle then use more water and sugar accordingly). Once sugar is fully dissolved add this to the lemony vodka (in your final glass bottle) mix all together then leave for one day ...

then drink! limoncello is great on its own over ice or put into prosecco or soda water - just lemony goodness...

Love Bean

Wednesday 4 June 2014

If You Buy One Thing...

...Make it MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer. A quick Hump-day post to let you know of my latest discovery. I am the world's biggest fail at lip products. Don't get me wrong, I love applying them when I do my make-up. I then walk out of the door, forget I'm wearing it, nibble my lips and drink lots of tea. The result: no lip colour left at all and I definitely cannot be bothered to reapply every 2 minutes. The new range of liquid lipsticks hitting the beauty market are genuinely changing my life. They stay on...like really stay on!

I was cruising the aisles of my local beauty havens as one does on a Wednesday. As well as picking up a few brands recommended by other blogs, I found this gem that I haven't heard a peep about! So swatched it, liked the colour and purchased (doing a little sideways heel tap in my head when I saw the price!)

It wasn't until I got home and washed my hands of the entire face of make up I had piled onto it, that I realised the true staying power of this product. Check out the picture, this was after washing my hands with soap! Either I need to learn to wash my hands properly or this is one durable lipstick.



That's not the best bit - due to my complete revelation today, what better product to include in our Summer Giveaway! Keep an eye on our twitterings @barrelandbean to have a chance of slathering your cake hole in this wonderful lip colour.

Much midweek love,

Barrel