Current Favourites

Soap & Glory - Heel Genius

I'm not normally one for applying creams or lotions to my feet, in fact you could say my feet do get a little bit neglected. After painting my toe nails a few weeks ago I thought I'd slap on a bit of this foot cream - and it's now become a bit of a regular occurrence. I normally apply this a couple of times a week before bed. It's suggested on the packaging to slip some socks on after you've massaged this cream in to your feet to allow it to soak in through the night. I really like this foot cream it has a fresh, clean scent to it which initially reminds me of a sort of cucumber scent. I find this cream to be very moisturising, it soaks in fairly quickly and leaves my feet feeling very soft and hydrated.

Liz Earle - Skin Repair Moisturisier

After trying out the mini Liz Earle skin care kit I decided I'd purchase the full sized moisturiser. This product stood out the most to me and was the one product I felt my skin really agreed with. I now apply this every morning and night. It leaves my skin feeling nice and hydrated but isn't too heavy. It's quite rich so I don't tend to use too much of it. I love the light scent of this cream - it's subtle and sweet. 

Philips Satin Soft Epilator 
I received this epilator for Christmas - I had specifically asked for one as I've been wanting to try epilating for a while now. A handful of work friends have been telling me about the benefits of epilating and I thought it was definitely worth trying. In a nutshell an epilator is a mehtod of hair removal. It's an electrical device which grasps hairs and pulls several out at the same time (basically like tweezing). It doesn't sound particularly pleasant to be honest. Although it's taken a few attempts I'm starting to get used to the sensation of epilating and I really do love the results. At the moment I've only epilated my legs but eventually I hope to do under my arms aswell. As the hairs are being pulled out they don't grow back as quickly as they would if you were shaving. In the future I'll think about doing a more in depth post about epilating for those of you that may want to know more. 

Benefit - They're Real! Mascara

I held off from trying this product for a while as at £18.50 this mascara is definitely not the cheapest, but I gave in and I have to admit I love it. This mascara gives my lashes a full, natural look. But Benefit's mascara seems to go one step further. It stays put all day and really opens up the eyes.  It can be quite difficult when removing your eye make up, although this depends on your method and the products you use. After a few months, like with many other mascaras, this product can tend to clump slightly. Although I've found this easy to work with and just comb may lashes through if there is the odd bit of clumping, unlike some other mascaras which are a complete nightmare and leave you with what looks like 5 giant lashes on each eye. I'll definitely be repurchasing this, it's very flattering and easily a favourite.

T.V
I've really been in to a few TV programmes over the last couple of months; My Mad Fat Diary, Nashville and more recently The Vampire Diaries have been top of my list. Bit of a variety as these programmes are quite different from one another, but I've been enjoying watching them all. 

The first series of My Mad Fat Diary has finished now, but is apparently set to return. 
Nashville is a new US series which has recently started, it's a few episodes in to the first series currently on More 4. Finally the Vampire Diaries, I've heard a lot about this series and although I haven't been following it at all I decided I'd give it a go. I'm about halfway through the first series at the moment- so far so good. 

What have been your favourites recently?

Words To Live By

I always love doing my 'Words To Live By' posts. I quite often go through quotes and find they can, at times, be very uplifting, motivational and sometimes quite supportive. When I stumble across those that I love and/or relate to I save them to my phone or computer and like to share some of them with you all. All of the above images were sourced from pinterest.com. The original sources are unknown. 

Catch Up

My laptops broken! It was slowly becoming more and more useless so I decided I should probably pop down to the little computer shop in town. So that's what I did, and was told that the hardrive was on its way out. SOB. Luckily everything was backed up as it's all getting fixed now. So whilst patiently waiting for it to be fixed I have been Internet free, well minus the usual bit of browsing on my phone! I've missed blogging so I thought I'd attempt a post from my phone. 

Trips

Despite wanting to chuck my laptop out of the window, prior to the computer shop visit, things have been good. It was the boyfriend's birthday a couple of weeks ago so I planned a secret trip to Cornwall. I love surprises and he had absolutely no idea. Although the weather was a bit temperamental (not at all surprising) it was a lovely little trip away and we had a great time. We travelled around most of Cornwall and stopped at various little places for walks, pictures, hot drinks and food. To name a few places - we stopped at St Ives, Padstow and Newquay. It was so relaxing and nice to have a change of scenery. I love being by the beach and Cornwall definitely has some really beautiful beaches! Carbis Bay in St Ives (top left and bottom right) has a lovely beach. After browsing around the town we walked back to the car, it then started to rain. By the time we got in to the car we were both absolutely drenched!

I also spent a week in my old home town catching up with some family and friends. It's always nice going back home and spending some quality time with loved ones. As its over a two hours drive from where I currently live I sometimes struggle to find the time to go and visit everyone, so sometimes months go between each visit. It was quite a chilled out week. I just enjoyed having the time off work and doing the simple little things such as having a cup of tea and a girly chat and catch up with my best friend or watching a couple of films with my Dad! Ahh the little things eh :)

Valentines Day

My boyfriend is the sweetest. We had nothing planned for valentines... to be honest I'm not a huge valentines day type of girl. A nice simple meal out would have been fine. But my boyfriend had planned a really special afternoon/evening. He'd booked us both in for a hot stone back massage at a spa hotel, a lovely meal and a room for the night. The hotel is a favourite of ours and one we often visit it when we can as a bit of a treat. It's in a really scenic location sat beside a beautiful lake. The hot stone back massage was a little slice of heaven. It was so relaxing and therapeutic. My work can be quite punishing on my back so I felt so much better for it. I can't recommend it enough if you're yet to try one.

Well in a nutshell that's it. Aside from all of the above I've been working like the busy bee that I am and trying to save up those pennies.  When I've had the chance to watch a bit of television my TV picks have been 'Nashville' and 'My Mad Fat Diary' (I love both of these, especially the latter) and a bit of 'Hollyoaks' on the side every now and then. Thankfully my laptop will be returned tomorrow all shiny and new, well kind of. I've missed catching up on my favourite blogs and being able to go on to my iTunes and update my music. Although you can do pretty much all of it these days on your phone, I much prefer my trusty laptop :)

Red Lips | MAC Lipsticks

I've always admired how beautiful a red lip can look on others, but felt that such bold colours don't look quite right once on my own lips. Although I hadn't particularly tried many, those I had tried I felt were too bold and definitely weren't for me. After receiving a Debenhams voucher for Christmas I decided I'd pop to the MAC counter and take my time to search for a red lippy that I could (hopefully) see myself wearing. I did just that. I actually ended up with two as I couldn't decide which one I preferred! I took home a Lustre Lipstick in Lady Bug and a Sheen Supreme Lipstick in New Temptation (both of these were recommended by one of the MAC ladies). I also purchased a Lip Pencil in Cherry. 

Lady Bug is a buildable sheer red which has some orange tones to it. I find this red is very wearable, adding a subtle pop of colour. New Temptation is also a buildable sheer red but is more vivid in comparison to Lady Bug and I would say more of a cherry red. Due to the formula New Temptation feels very smooth and moisturising once applied. I love how New Temptation can be patted on to the lips to create a softer more subtle look. I think of the two New Temptation may be my favourite shade. 

{L-R- Cherry Lip Pencil, New Temptation & Lady Bug}

{L-R- Lady Bug & New Temptation}

Both of these lipsticks are, in my opinion, very wearable reds and are definitely shades that I feel I can confidently wear. Of course being the type of girl that normally wears more subtle shades it initially took a little getting used to but I'm pleased that I've managed to find reds that I feel suit me! The lovely thing is these reds are so versatile and easy to work with, both work well as an everyday colour but are still pretty enough to wear on a night out. 

What do you think? Any red lippy fans... if so what are your favourite's?

The Little Things

-Having a few days off work after working some very long and tiring days!


-Enjoying a hearty homemade shepherds pie dinner the other evening. The melted cheese on top was delicious. Yum


-Giggling fits. I woke up the other night and to my amusement my boyfriend was sleep talking. He was wondering where the "hundreds of pieces of paper had disappeared to" Hilarious!


-Long phone conversations with friends that live miles away


-Working my way through my lovely stash of Lush goodies that I received for my Birthday & Christmas


-Discovering a red lipstick which I actually feel comfortable wearing


-Waking up Friday morning to see everything covered in snow. It was snowing lightly throughout the day - everything looked so pretty. Friday involved chucking snowballs, long walks, Mum tripping over in the garden and the dogs playing excitedly in the snow. So pleased I had the day off work. (The above picture was the view from my window yesterday morning)


-Sticking to one of my NY's goal/resolution of saving up those pennies. I've been quite strict on what I can spend my money on - so it feels good having a little chunk of money to put away and save after payday 

Words To Live By

{All images - Pinterest - Original - Unknown}

A New Year

In 2013 I will....

• Try to start saving those pennies (more specifically put away a minimum of £40 a month)

• Aim to be a lot healthier by looking after myself and eating more of the right stuff

• Be more organised. I'm normally quite an organised person but in the last couple of months I seem to keep leaving things for another day. The to-do list becomes ever growing! 

• Try to not let certain things get to me - worry less. I can be such a little worrier. Some things are just out of my control and aren't really my problem. I need to learn to take a step back and remind myself that some things are either not my problem or aren't important

• Find a new job. This one is quite important. I hope to find something that's pointing more in the right direction in terms of what I would like to be doing in the future

• Make time for things that I enjoy doing. It's important for everyone to have some 'me' time!

• Make plans. Due to having some of my closest friends and family members living a couple of hours away, it can be difficult to find and have quality time with them all. This year I will make sure that plans are made to make the most of the time that we do have together - however small those plans may be :)

What kind of resolutions/goals have you set for yourselves?