Homemade Chicken Pasta Bake

Hi guys!

So this year, i’ve really tried to make more of an effort with cooking meals. I’ve always made excuses like ” I don’t have time to cook” or ” I can bake, but i’m no good at cooking” but decided that if I want to loose weight and be healthier, then I need to start cooking things from scratch. Anyway, I love pasta – you can never go wrong with it. So after watching a Jade Billington vlog where she made a sausage and pepperoni cheesy pasta bake ( Sounds yummy, but no one in my house would like it except for me) I decided to make my own, but adapting it a little bit to suit my family. Heres how I made it.

Ingredients:

• Pasta ( I didn’t measure it, I just did it by eye)
• Sunflower Oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Chicken
• Tomato Ragu
• Mature cheddar cheese.

Instructions:

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees. Put some pasta in a pan and add sunflower oil (or any other cooking oil you may have) into a pan, before adding a pinch of salt and boiling water. Leave the pasta to simmer for 20 minutes.

Cut your chicken into small chunks so it cooks quickly ( or you can buy it readily prepared) and put it into a baking dish with a small amount of oil. Cook for 25 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally to ensure both sides are cooked.

When the pasta is soft, drain it and add a teaspoon of butter to add flavour. Mix thoughroughly. Take your chicken out of the oven, and coat it with a sprinkling of salt, pepper and paprika – before moving it to a different bowl.

In the same baking tray, pour a small amount of pasta sauce in the bottom of the dish so its covered. Then begin to layer it with pasta, then chicken, then cheese. Continue these individual layers until the pasta and chicken is gone ( It should create 2-3 layers.).

Bake for 30 minutes. Once its finished, take it out of the oven and serve immediately. I like to add serve mine with garlic bread and salad, but it’s completely up to you!

Final thoughts:

Although i’m a bit gutted that no one else wants to try this with sausage and pepperoni ( Like Jade did), it still tastes amazing with chicken and is super easy to make! I would definite recommend it for anyone who wants a easy, rich, filling and comforting meal!

Whats your favourite pasta dish? Let me know in the comments below!

Take care,

~ Emma x

Warm summer eyeshadow – Naked Honey tutorial and review.

Hey guys,

One of my favourite eyeshadow colours is gold. I have brown eyes, so find gold really compliments my eye colour. I’ve also had compliments on it, so thought it would be a good idea to get a nice gold eyeshadow pallete. I picked up the Naked Honey pallete and decided to try it out so I could share my thoughts with you guys. Lets get started.

Firstly, after applying concealer to my lid, I blended it out and dusted the shade Flyby all over the lid. Next, I took the shades sweet on a fluffy brush through my crease, before using the same fluffy brush to apply Swarm and Keeper over the top, and also run it along my bottom lash line. I then used a clean fluffy brush to soften the edges, before using my finger to apply the shade Amber all over the lid. To create a slight halo eye effect, I took the shade HBIC and tapped in the centre of my lid. Finally, I used a small angled brush and the shade String and placed this along my lash line – to make my eyelashes appear thicker before applying a black mascara.

My thoughts are that although I love my other naked palette, this one is definitely my favourite! I’ve worn this look on previous nights out and I’ve always had compliments on how it makes my eyes look – which I haven’t had with any other pallet before. I also find that these colours are quite special because they’re not just your normal matte browns and gold shimmers, they have a yellowy mustard tone to them which is something I haven’t seen before from other brands.

Aside from it being different, it’s also such an incredible quality – as all the Naked palettes are. Both the shimmers and mattes are very pigmented, blend beautifully and look stunning on the eye. They are also super creamy and buttery. My only complaint is I wish the first cream shade was matte as thats what I prefer, but I have lots of matte cream shades so that doesn’t matter really. Overall, this is a wonderful pallete that can be used all year round, and is definitely worth the money.

Whats your opinion on this pallete? Let me know in the comments below.

Take care

~ Emma x

Baking Chocolate Crunch

Hi guys!

So lately, all I’ve spent a lot of time binge watching Sophie and Dave vlogs on YouTube. ( They’re so sweet, you should really check them out.) In one of their vlogs, they made chocolate crunch and I felt really inspired to try it myself. It’s quite difficult to describe, you have to have tried it to know what i’m on about. I think the best way to describe it is if a bourbon biscuit and a brownie had a baby, that is how it would taste.

This is such an easy, effortless recipe to make! If you would like to make it, you will need:

• 300g Granulated Sugar
• 300g plain flour
• 80g cocoa powder
• 180g butter

To make chocolate crunch, you will need to:

• Sift the sugar, cocoa powder and flour into a bowl.
• Melt the butter, then pour it into the dry ingredients. Mix it together until combined.
• Pour it into a greased baking tray, and pat it down firmly. Bake for 30 mins at 180 degrees.
• Once out the oven, sprinkle sugar over the top and wait for it to cool, before serving.

Final thoughts:

This tastes amazing! Although i’m not really sure what you’d class this as, (its not really a biscuit or brownie), I think this is my new favourite treat! I remember eating this in primary school and completely forgot that it existed until now. Its super easy to make, and you can either eat it alone or add warm custard to it, its completely up to you. It’s definitely worth a try if youre short on time, but really want a chocolatey sweet treat!

Whats your favourite dessert?

Take care,

~ Emma x

July Favourites 2020

Hi guys, so lately I’ve been shopping a lot. Honestly, now work is a little more normal I’ve felt so much more relaxed in regards to my financial situation, so have splurged a little more than normal as I hardly brought anything for 3 months. Therefore, I thought it might be fun to show you guys what I brought! Plus I feel quite nostalgic when it comes to these posts, as its what my blog was very much made up of in the early days back in 2016. Anyway, without further a do, lets get started.

• Nakd Strawberry Sundae bars. In the past, I have tried some Nakd Bars before, like the cocoa orange one and carrot cake one, but haven’t been overly impressed with them. However, this new one is a game changer! It is lush, honestly it reminds me so much of the creamy part of strawberry cremes from Quality Street. Its heavenly, definitely worth a try if you want a healthier snack.

• Next, I brought these little black floral shorts, with a white daisy print. When I first picked them up, I assumed they were a cute floral skirt. However, once I got home and tried it on I was even more happy with this purchase. These are probably the comfiest, light weight shorts I own, and go so well with their a black, white or yellow vest top. Mine are a size 10 and cost £9.99. You can find them here. https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/shorts/black-floral-print-flippy-shorts/p/651396609

• Another item from Newlook, is a white floral peplum top. I wasn’t too sure about this purchase when I first tried it on, however it has grown on me. I got it in a size 12 to be on the safe side ( I’m technically a 10, but some materials don’t quite have enough stretch so I have to size up.) and i’m so glad I did. It hides my tummy for when i’m feeling self concious or bloated, but also has the most adorable frills on the sleeves! Again, it is super light weight and comfortable to. You can find it here, for £15.99 https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/tops/white-floral-and-spot-peplum-top/p/659968619

• Onto skin care, i’ve decided to change my skincare routine a little bit for the first time in years. Now, twice a week ill mix some of the Revolution Vitamin C Serium in with my Simple Light Moisturiser, and apply it all over my face. I’ve found that since coming off the pill my skin has really struggled, so this serum has helped the texture and brightness of my skin improve so much! You can buy it here for £8. https://www.revolutionbeauty.com/uk/en/skin/serums-and-oils/revolution-skincare-3pct-vitamin-c-serum/1137461.html

• Finally, I have been loving the Revolution X Skincare, Jake Jamie Strawberry Donut Face mask. Firstly, this smells just like real strawberry donuts, its heavenly! Secondly, it comes in a little glass pot which makes it feel so much more expensive and luxurious. This has easily become my go-to for pamper evenings. I just rub on a small, even amount of this all over my face with my fingers and wait for 15 minutes, before washing it off with a hot cloth. It always leaves my skin feeling so soft and glowy, so makes the perfect pick-me-up after a tough week. You can buy it here for £8. https://www.revolutionbeauty.com/uk/en/skin/face-masks/revolution-skincare-x-jake-jamie-strawberry-donut-face-mask/1183185.html

Thats all guys, what have you been loving this month? Let me know in the comments below.

Take care,

~ Emma x

Youtubers you should be watching #2

Hi guys. So over the years i’ve watched a lot of youtuber. However, times have changed a little and as i’ve grown, my so has my taste in youtubers. My last ” youtubers you should be watching” post is a few years old now, so I thought i’d give you a more up to date version of what i’ve been enjoying. Lets get started.

Sophie & Dave.  These youtuber’s are a young couple, who have been vlogging their everyday lives for  couple of years now. Not only do I like their channel because I like to be a bit nosy and see what others do with their day ( but don’t we all?), but they’re both really down to earth and light hearted. If you’ve had a rubbish day, their vlogs are sure to cheer you up!

Melanie Murphy. Melanie is someone who appeared in my last post just over 4 years ago. I guess that really shows how long i’ve been watching her channel! I still love her videos, I truly feel her channel and content has grown and matured with me over the years. She focuses her videos around food, lifestyle, beauty and just pure honesty. No fancy gimmics or clickbate, shes just here to be her most authentic, honest self in the hopes it leaves a positive impact. I can say for an absolute fact that its definitely done that for me. She’s inspired me and changed my mindset for the better, regarding food, relationships and body image and mental health during some of my most difficult years. She’s truly been a rock throughout difficult times over the years, which sounds so silly to say but its true. This is the one and only youtuber who I feel truly connected to, despite the fact weve never actually met in person and only interact on twitter sometimes. I hope I can meet her one day and tell her all of this, but until then i’ll just be leaving this here…

Allie Gilnes. This is a beauty youtuber, who does lots of stunning, glamorous makeup tutorials with a range of products. She creates a lot of glamourous looks, however they can be quite wearable and appropriate for day time, as well as easy to follow! For this reason, she’s definitely worth a watch if youre new and only just starting out with makeup.

Natacha Ocean. If youre looking to get fit, then this is the youtuber for you! Natacha really does not mess around, she films lots of HIIT workouts that are sure to get your heart pumping and legs aching within seconds. However, although her workouts are super tough they can get easier with practice and will leave you with incredible results. The best part is, she knows all the science and works with experts when she researches how workouts and moves can impact us, so she really does know what she’s doing, can back it up, and shows she’s got all of our best interests at heart. A true inspiration for those looking for tougher, effective workouts.

That’s all guys, what youtubers have you been enjoying lately? Let me know in the comments bellow.

Take care,

~ Emma x

Self Care Tips, and why its important

Hi guys. Lately, quarantine seems to have been taking its toll on everyone. Life is weird and so many changes are happening, and some people don’t take too well to change. I know I don’t, and so I’ve tried to take extra good care of myself in these challenging times – and have found these things work the best. They may differ from person to person, but I hope you can benefit from something from this post, if not all of it. So, without anymore rambling, lets get into it.

Firstly, have a bath. Make it nice and hot, and stick lots of bubbles, bath salts, or bath bombs in. My choice was an Avon Lavender Bubble bath, along side this robot Lush Bath bomb that has lots of really calming properties. Its also full of natural ingredients that are good for the skin. I find baths to be so essential in my self care routine, because its one of the best ways to calm down, the heat and bubbles seem to give me an instant relief.. It’s really quite difficult to explain, but once I had a really stressful 5 weeks, and when things were finally getting resolved I decided to have a bath. Got in with all the weight of the world on my shoulders, and came out a much calmer, new woman. If you know, you know.

Next, I also value the importance of a good skin care routine. Mine is nothing too crazy, and it hasn’t changed too much in the past few years. I just use the Simple Refreshing Face wash, or a Loreal Face Scrub ( the kiwi one and brown sugar one are my fave at the moment) depending on what my skin needs. I then use the Hydrating Simple Moisturiser, and Simple Soothing Eye Balm to finish. Although my routine is rather basic, I make sure I do it once every day, because i’m a strong believer that if you don’t take care of yourself on the outside, then you’re plgoing to feel even worse on the inside.

Another thing I think is important, is to eat comfort food whenever you’re taking time to practice self care. Of course this is subjective to the individual and their circumstances, so it may or may not be for you. I find that chocolate is not the way to go with this. Although small amounts are good, if I eat too much junk I feel gross – which can lead to me feeling even worse about myself. Instead, when I say comfort food, I mean filling, wholesome meals that are balanced but can still bring comfort. A good example of this can be home made pasta bake, or vegetable soup. Very easy to make, and minimal effort which is what you might need when you’re sad – but is also full of goodness so won’t leave you feeling gross afterwards.

Aside from pampering yourself and eating, it’s also very important to make sure youre moving your body. Of course, this can depend on the individual and circumstances again – but I find yoga to be the best thing for when i’m in a bit of a funk. When I’m sad, the last thing I need is to jump around doing hiit, but a few simple stretches while focusing on breathing, can be so relaxing. It can also stop you feeling stiff, and if done enough can promote flexbility and strength too.

Next, if all else fails have a cry. Honestly its never good to hold it all in, it can only have a worse impact in the long run. So just let it out! Watch a sad film if you have to, it’ll be worth it in the end.

Finally, forgive yourself. We all make mistakes. Sometime times we say or do the wrong thing but that’s okay – so long as you haven’t seriously hurt anyone. Take a deep breathe, and try and take logical steps to solve thr problem. If it cant be fixed, just be kind to yourself both physically and mentally. ( However, I am no professional so if its something deeper, always seek help if you need too.) A quote that sticks with me is “Practice Reckless Optimism.” So remember, no matter how hard the situation is, it will get better if you believe so.

That’s all guys. I hope this was helpful. Leave me your thoughts in the comments down below.

Take care,

– Emma x

My bare minumum makeup routine

Hi guys! So today I thought i’d try and make a bit of a different post today. As you know, I love doing makeup posts, but have never done a full face tutorial before. It was really fun to make, I hope you like it! Let’s get started.

First, I applied a clear, pore covering primer to ensure my makeup lasts all day.

I then went straight in with my collection lasting perfection concealer in the shade Fair, and put a small amount on my T-Zone, under my eyelids, on my chin, and any other blemishes I may have. I blended this in with a buffing brush.

I decided to skip foundation completely, as i’ve gone off it at the moment. After not wearing any for a few months, I now notice it feels like its too much despite only putting a little on to start with. I may return back to it one day, but right now i’m enjoying skipping this step.

Next, I set it with the Rimmel Stay Matte setting powder in the shade Translucent, with a big fluffy brush.

Taking an angled, fluffy brush, I applied some of the MUA bronzer to my forehead, cheeks, jawline and neck to bring back some colour. I then used a blush brush, and blended a small amount of a peachy blush (bottom row, 2nd shade) into the apples of my cheeks. This brought some colour back into my face, stopping me from looking ill.

I then took a small angled brush, and took the shade Brazen from the I ♡ Revolution Chocolate Nudes palette. I gently dipped it in and lightly ran it through my brows, just covering any small gaps and thinner patches.

Using the same Palette, I took the shade Skimpy on a fluffy brush and ran it all over the eyelid, as a base colour. Next, I used the shade After Dark and ran it all over my lid and crease, with the same brush, making sure to blend out the edges.

Finally, I added the Soap and Glory Thick and Fast mascara to my top and bottom lashes. I finished the look by applying the Revolution Soph lipstick on the shade Cake – and applied some setting spray to keep my makeup in place.

Here’s the finished look.

That’s all guys, I hope you enjoyed this look! What products have you been enjoying this spring?

– Emma x

What I’ve Been Enjoying On Netflix During Quarantine

Hi guys. So lately, in between blog posts, I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix. This just passes the time away, and makes me feel a little bit calmer during these strange times. Also, although its important to watch the news and be aware of whats going on in the world, Netflix is a nice change from when you can’t watch anymore news reports.

As we all need a bit of positive distraction right now, I thought i’d share what i’ve enjoyed watching so far. Lets get started.

1. Queer Eye. In all honesty, this ones taken me a little while to appreciate. I didn’t really pay too much attention the first time I watched it so it didn’t really grab me. However, one day I decided to sit down and actually pay attention to it, really take it all in with no distractions. It was amazing, I loved it! The fab 5 really are all so wonderful, and this show has really brought me some comfort during this quarantine.

2. You. This show has been out for a while now, and this isn’t my first time watching it. It’s so creepy, intense, and full of twists, keeping me on my toes. However, the second season is a tad more gory than the 1st. (If you’ve seen season 2 episode 2, you know. ), which is worth knowing if you havent got a strong stomache. If you can make it past that part, its definitely worth it!

3. Next In Fashion. I started this after finishing Queer Eye, as I needed more Tan France content in my life. This is such a nice, light hearted show and is super positive. Each designer is incredible in their own way and everything is judged well. In my opinion the right person won, but now thats up to you to decide.

4. Nadiya In the Kitchen. Lately, I’ve been doing lots of baking and cooking, so have been more drawn to cooking shows. With being a fussy eater, i’m not usually too excited by cooking shows but this one was amazing! Not only is it a really comforting, light hearted show, but I felt so inspired watching this. I want to try 95% of the recipes on the series which says a lot, it all looked so yummy! Definitely worth a watch if you’re in need of inspiration.

5. 60 days in – This show is about 7 people who go undercover as an “Inmate” in an American prison. Only 2 staff members are aware of this. As a result of this, it allows the Sherrif to become aware of changes that need making inside the prison. I found this show so interesting, it was a good insight on how life really is inside and how people deal with it. However, it does contain a few sensitive subjects so you may want to bare this in mind before watching.

6. Unorthadox. This is about an Hispanic Jew, and the journey she goes through as she runs away to start a new, happier life. I really enjoyed this show, it was actually eye opening to see how things are done in this religion and the struggles they really went through. It’s only four episodes long so is easy to get through, but is very intense and emotional at times. It’s so good though, i’d love to see a season two!

That’s all guys. I hope you enjoyed this, what shows have you enjoyed lately?

– Emma x

Baking Nadiya Hussain’s No Flour Brownies

Hi guys,So while in quarantine, I’ve done a lot more baking. Not only is it super relaxing, it also makes me feel a little more productive – which the intensive being getting a yummy treat at the end. What’s not to love? However, due to the pandemic, buying flour is a nightmare at the moment. There’s none to be found, everyone seems to want to bake so has gone from panic buying toilet rolls, to panic buying flour. Fabulous. * eye roll.*However, I’ve been reallyyyyy craving brownies lately, but given my current financial situation, cannot justify buying brownies when its definitely cheaper, and probably more healthy ( But only slightly ) to make your own. So, I stumbled across this recipe and let me tell you, it is a life saver!You will need:

• 375g (13oz) chocolate. Either milk chocolate or dark, or a mix, either is good.
• 220g (8oz) butter
• 4 eggs
• 150g (5oz) caster sugar.

Instructions:

• Melt the butter and chocolate together. I did this in the microwave, setting it for 30 seconds, mix, 30 seconds, mix, until it was done. However, this may vary depending how powerful your microwave is so be careful!
• Once melted, mix the chocolate and butter really well.
• In another bowl add 4 eggs, and the caster sugar. Whisk until light and fluffy. ( it should look super pale and bubbly, if you’re unsure)
• Add the butter and chocolate mix into the egg and sugar. Mix until combined.
• Pour into a lined and greased tin ( 25 x 25cm)
• Bake at 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. ( I found that mine took 45 mins, so take it out at 25 mins and poke it with a knife to check. It very much depends on your own oven, so you may need to use your own judgement for this part.)
• When cooked, take the brownies out and put them to one side until they’re room temperature. When they’re cooled, place into the fridge for 4 hours ( Or however long your will power will allow… it’s too easy to be impatient and sneak a taste!)
• After 4 hours, cut into squares and serve. I like to serve mine with ice-cream, but its completely up to you!

My Personal Thoughts:

So I tried this recipe myself, and have a few thing’s id like to share about it with you. Firstly, although I joke about having the willpower to not touch warm gooey cake, I soon learnt that its actually really important to leave it alone. I had a little taste before it was ready, and it was very soft as it hadn’t firmed up yet. The texture wasn’t quite right, despite the fact I followed the recipe word for word.Putting it in the fridge helps it to firm up, as that’s almost taking the roll of the flour. However, I put them back in the fridge and actually waited to have it with ice-cream for dessert that evening, and it is much better when its firmed.I would also like to add that because they’re so soft, they’re a bit harder to remove from the tray when you come to cut them. They just stick… so although I greased the tray well, it was a challenge. I counted out 15 squares when I cut them, but it definitely turned into 15 – ish – not quite due to this. However, if you’re eating them alone then that may not matter to you.Despite these few facts, the brownies were really Delicious! Everyone in my family loved them, and I hope you enjoy them too!Please let me know if you make Nadiya’s recipe! Also, what food/desserts to you like to make? See you soon, stay safe.~ Emma x

Personal update… do I stop being an anonymous blog?

Hi guys,

As you know, this blog has been anonymous for 4 years. I call myself ‘little harto’ as I was very much inspired by Hannah Hart a few years ago  – and was also too scared to show my real self as I was scared of people in my real life finding this and bullying me for it.

However, I have now come to a time where I want to expand this. Although theres lots of comfort in being anonymous, I want to show full makeup looks like everyone else as I feel very restricted right now. But most importantly, I want to see how this grows if I start showing my true, authentic self rather than hiding behind ‘little harto.’  I am 22 now. I am out of college, and I am a grown adult who has a lot more confidence than I did at 17/18 years of age. I want to be more free and see where this takes me. I think im ready for that adventure.

I really hope I will have your support through this, as this is a big step for me. You guys have made me feel so validated and good about my content, so I hope this change is something you can all accept.

Thank you guys, see you soon x

 

-littleharto x