2014 Resolutions

Some say that resolutions are made to be broken, but this year I plan on sticking to at least 80% of mine (leaving some room for failing will power there). In 2014 I'm going to categorise my resolutions in 3 sections and hopefully stick to all of them! No doubt there is something that's been missed off, but if I think of anymore I will add them on. Some of these may seem like small, silly things but hey, gotta start somewhere.

Beauty and Health

• Moisturise post EVERY shower. I am so bad at looking after my skin but this year that is going to change! Moisturising my skin is something that gets forgotten about completely, especially in the winter, but as I have dry skin that's very naughty. So far I'm doing well..
• Improve my facial skin care routine. This will involve setting aside time every evening to cleanse, tone and moisturise, as well finding new great products which work well with my skin type.
• Use a hair mask at least once a week.
• Lose 10kg (by the end of May) and learn to maintain the weight I'm happy with. This is one that I'm probably going to struggle with the most. My weight generally yo-yos as I am normally good at losing a bit of weight in the summer if I watch what I eat, but then autumn comes around, then winter and its endless turkeys and Christmas puddings and it all piles back on again. I find dieting quite difficult as I absolutely love food, so a good aid for me is usually doing exercise whilst limiting what I eat.
• Either join the gym or take up a new class - like Zumba, or something else fun.
• Drink green tea at least every other day.

Blogging

• Blog at least twice a week. Since starting this blog I've been so busy with my new job and generally adapting to life after university that I've been making too many excuses of 'too tired, will blog tomorrow'. This year, there will be no more procrastination and I will actually stick to my plans. I haven't yet selected my blogging days, but most likely will be Sundays and Wednesdays, and I will try to throw in some additional general life posts.
• Join blogger networks. In 2014 I would like to get more involved in the beauty blogger community and join some blogger network to discover great new blogs and increase my number of followers.
• Reach X number of followers. I am unsure of what would be a reasonable target, 365 days is a long time but I also don't want to sound too over ambitious. My aim is just to keep writing about products I love and others I come across along the way and hope that you guys enjoy reading about them!
• Project pan - 10 items. I am a total hoarder when it comes to make up and beauty products. Like a child with a new toy, when I discover a new product, the old one gets thrown to the back of the drawer, not to be seen again for agesssss. Upon re-discovery I mean to use the product but never seem to actually get round to it as something new always ends up distracting my attention.

General life plans

• Improve my time management skills. I am a massive list maker.. but never actually manage to complete everything on my to-do list! Not entirely sure how I will get around that one but I'm working on it... (any tips much appreciated!)
• Take a photo a day.  A few people I know have done this in previous years and it looks like a lot of fun, documenting your year in photos. I'm doing well so far and have a few ideas for the rest of January, but really wondering how I'll keep up come February! Will definitely require some inspiration, ideas welcome... If all fails I'll have to resort to selfies! (Please save me from this!)
• Camp at a festival.  Having never been to a proper camping festival I think this is definitely a right of passage for every youngster. I've only really been to Parklife in Manchester, but always had the comfort of my own bed to return to at night and Hideout in Croatia, but we had a lovely apartment to come home to. I'm pretty I wouldn't cope with camping in the scorching heat, so that would only leave camping in the UK, with the ever looming chance of torrential rain.. when you least expect it. I would ideally like to do V Fest or Creamfields as the line ups are generally pretty amazing, but we'll see!
• Colour run. How much fun does that look??
• Have a go at Ebay.  This year I want to be more thoughtful with my purchases and only buy things if I really need them. In recent years I have collected an array of things that I either don't use or like anymore but which are still in a great condition, so I'm hoping Ebay will help de-clutter my shelves and make way for something new.
• Car boot sale. I did one of these this summer, it was quite fun and a nice little money maker. It was hard to part with things as I felt I was not getting enough valued for beloved items which I no longer needed, but all in all it was a great experience. Unfortunately I don't know of any indoor car boot style markets in my area so this may have to wait until the summer if I can't discover one.

That's about it for me, seem to have babbled on a bit! Would love to know what your New Year's resolutions are!

 

NOTW: Barry M Glitter Nail Paint

This Barry M Nail Paint in number 217 is a gorgeous blue glitter shade. This is fairly old polish but is perfect for the winter party season. Enjoy!
　

 

 

What's your favourite party season polish?

Festive NOTW: Special mention - Models Own Catherine Wheel

 

I hope all of you have had a wonderful Christmas with lots of presents and even more food! I am still in the festive spirit and so so excited for what the New Year has to bring!

My Christmas day choice for nails of the day were the beautiful red Nails inc St. James and the chunky glitter Models Own Catherine Wheel.

 

 

 

 

Nails inc St. James

 

  

Models Own Catherine Wheel

　

　

Both of these nail polishes = amazing!

 

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Final Boots Star Gift // No7 Ultimate Collection

 

 

 

 

This week's star gift at Boots is the amazing No7 Ultimate Collection, and they have saved the best till last. The kit contains:

 

Completely Quenched Moisturising Body Lotion

Blissful Body Wash

Sumptuous Bath soak

Beautiful Skin Cleansing Lotion

Protect and Perfect Day Hand Cream

Beautiful Skin Dry Rescue

Protect and Perfect Intense Day Cream

Protect and Perfect Intense Night Cream

Lash Adapt Mascara in Black

Limited Edition Lipgloss Marshmallow

 

 

 

I haven't really used many No7 products but the ones that I have have be very effective. I already have soo many products so I had to refrain from getting one for myself but thought it would make a perfect gift for my mum!

 

 

 

 

NOTD: Barry M and Essie Lux Effects

 
Embracing winter and wishing for a white Christmas, these nails reminded me of snowy winter mornings and glistening snow flakes! After neglecting my nails for a while, this week's creation entailed a Barry M Nail Paint in 66 Matt White and an Essie Lux Effects Multi Dimensional Top Coat in Shine of the Times.

 

 

 

The matt white polish was a recent purchase, as I have so many glitter top coats and nothing to wear underneath them. I usually find Barry M polishes to be reasonably nice, unfortunately this one did not impress. I could do purely down to the colour, but I did not feel like the consistency of the polish was sufficient to stop it from being opaque after 2 coats. will stick with it though and attempt to improve my application methods!

The Essie Lux Effect polish on the other hand is absolutely AMAZING! It is gorgeous and so soo versatile! It can be worn over the top of any colour, and would look cute worn on its own if you wanted just a pinch of sparkle.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy :)

 

 

 

November Empties

This month's empties have all been make up staples and other essentials but have included some amazing products. I will definitely be looking to repurchase all of the products mentioned. This month we have:

 

 

 

MUA Face Powder shade 2 - bit of a love/hate relationship with this one. For a £1 I was pleasantly surprised, as for such a bargain steal you can't always guarantee results. I love it because it's compact, quick and convenient and looks good when applied in small quantities. On the downside, I did struggle with using it sparingly and reached the tipping point.. making it look rather cakey

 

Me Me Me Fat Cat lashes mascara - a massive fan of this mascara as I find it genuinely gives your lashes a lot of volume. One of the most favourite mascara I've ever used so would definitely buy it again when my current mascara runs out.

 

L'Oreal Infallible 16hr Concealer in Vanilla - the best high street/drug store concealer ever! The coverage and lasting power are wonderful and I find the lighter shades are perfect for me, as I usually struggle to find concealers that suit my skin tone. Not a single bad word to say about it. There is always one of these floating around my make up collection so I am well stocked up. I do think it may be time to branch out and try something new and as I've heard so much about Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer it would be rude not to try it. Will always keep this lovely little concealer stick as my trusty, reliable back up though.

 

L'Oreal Glam Shine Lipgloss - this lovely little gloss has received a lot of love over the past year or so. So much so, that most if the label has rubbed off. The lid indicates the shade was 403 Magnetic Rose Glow, which is a shimmery pinky-beige shade (unfortunately probably not available on the market anymore as I've had it for ages). I absolutely love how shimmery it is and the lovely scent, as well as the heartshaped wand! How cute is the heart shaped wand?? Definitely prefer it to the usual doefoot applicators.

 

Scholl Foot Therapy Rough Skin Remover Scrub - delivered AMAZING results! I've been using it for several months now, leaving my feet feeling wonderfully soft after the damaged caused by flip flops over the summer. Quite sad this product has ran out as I haven't had a chance to pick up anymore and I don't want my feel to lose their amazing softness. Would highly recommend this! Leaves your hands feeling overly soft after application too! Double whammy.

 

Sure Clear Aqua Deodorant - does the job, keeps you feeling fresh for ages.

 

 

 

Hello December!

I can't believe it's December already! It has been 6 months since I finished University and seriously... where has the time gone? It seems as though summer was only last week.

December is going to be such an exciting month, I absolutely cannot wait! Firstly, a couple of days ago I got tickets to The Clothes Show at the NEC in Birmingham next weekend and I'm SOOOOOO EXCITEDDD!! A bit ott there I know but I haven't been for what seems like so long and it is so much fun. Can't wait to see what bargains are going to be up for grabs this year! I think I'm most looking forward to checking out the Model's Own, Barry M, Rimmel and Elemis stands, but no doubt I've missed off one of the really important once. There will be a very detailed post to come with all the crazy things I buy, leaving my bank card hating me.

December is of course a very festive time with lots to organise, presents to but and decorations to put up! I'm so so behind this year, as by the time I eventually get my decorations up it will be well into December. Better late than never eh? And the shopping list, wow the shopping list! I am composing an efficient regime to acquire all Christmas gifts in one go.. will this possible.. guess we'll have to see.

With added festivies, December also brings my birthday! With so much to plan and sort out an coordinate everybody's plans for new year NYE can get quite hectic. Edinburgh is supposed to amazing for new year, but seeing as I am currently based in the Midlands it seems a bit of a trek to head to Scotland for only a few days. Although I've still never been to Scotland!... Should probably get onto that at some point. Seeing new year is all about fun, excitement and spending it with your favourite people!

What are your special plans for this month?