February Playlist!

 

1. I Don't Wanna Live Forever - Zayn & Taylor Swift)

2. Text from Your Ex - Tinie Tempah (feat. Tinashe)

3. Want To Want Me - Jason Derulo

4. Touch - Little Mix

5. Payphone - Maroon 5 (feat. Wiz Khalifa)

6. My Song - Alessia Cara

7. Work From Home - Fifth Harmony (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)

8. Photograph - Ed Sheeran 

9. Don't Wanna Know - Maroon 5 (feat. Kendrick Lamar)

10. Helium - Sia

 

Zoella Beauty Body Mist Collection Review

Hello again! A few days ago I was having a quick browse in a Superdrug for some nail varnish remover and basically... I was super distracted by the prettier items in store and so I (somehow!) noticed that all of the Zoella beauty and lifestyle products were 3 for 2 and I'd been thinking about the body mists for absolutely ages. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't find the Christmas gingerbread fragrance, but I did pick up three scents that came to the bargainous price of £16. Which is great when you consider the amount of perfume you're receiving for that price point, but I have to admit it was a bit of a struggle to limit myself to only 3 things because budgeting is where my life is at right now!

 

The first scent released by Zoella beauty was Blissful Mistful back in 2014; it appealed to me visually as I really love the rose gold/copper accents. However I feel like it could've been a bit more pretty, it's boxy, square bottle shape is nice with the white polka dots spread out but I have to admit, I would've liked a lacy design, similar to the later scent bottles. The scent is really cute, floral and fruity and definitely appeals to a range of audiences, but I'd say particularly teens and early twenties which no doubt are the targeted audience. In terms of smell, this one is definitely my favourite with the most lovely mix of strawberry, grapefruit, violet, jasmine and gardenia. Priced at £8 for a 45ml bottle it's not only affordable but also a lot of mist for the money. Body mists are great as they're lighter to wear then perfume so definitely more of an everyday purchase, but with the amazing price you can afford to buy another if necessary.

 

I was debating between getting another fragrance or getting one of the body creams, but in the end I knew I'd regret not getting all of the fragrances as there are so many amazing reviews of them online. Let's Spritz! was released as part of the Zoella Beauty Tutti Fruity collection in 2015. The bottle is physically designed similarly to the first fragrance, so deliberately looks like a sister fragrance. The boxy design is more flattering with the two fragrances as a set; this time in metallic green with white lace accents, polka dots and a pale pink fragrance. The fragrance is really fruity, smelling of raspberry, cassis and red berries. It's smells fresh like long summer days and definitely is a summer scent for me; considering it's a mist, it lasts really well on the skin; which is an added bonus. The price is again £8 so nicely priced for those on a budget and would definitely suit a flirty, feminine person. It's the kind of fragrance I would wear throughout the summer months.

 

The last fragrance of the three, Sweet Inspirations was released in 2016 as a part of the latest Zoella beauty range. Visually, it looks incredible in my opinion; it seems like the perfect match for the boxy style bottle shape. A gold bottle cap with a pink and gold 1920s style pattern alongside dark purple typeography it definitely is my favourite of the three, looks wise. However I'm just not so keen on the scent. Smelling of macaroons, honey, almond, cacao pod and vanilla, it's marketed as sweet, oriental style scent but I just can't find a way to love it, which is a shame as I adore how it looks and I did want to take advantage of the 3 for 2 offer, so... I did, but this is definitely not my favourite smell. It doesn't last as long on the skin as the other two, either but it is very strong which is a good feature. Pictured together, I'm sure you can see why I indulged in all three fragrances as they look amazing together, but scent wise my favourite has to be Let's Spritz! which was a surprise as I'm not usually mad on fruity scents. Which one is your favourite?

 

Real Techniques Limited Edition Berlin

When I was younger I would always apply all kinds of make up using either my hands or the brushes that came included with products but as I got older I started using proper brushes and slowly began to work out the different uses of the brushes. About a year ago I discovered the Real Techniques brushes after seeing a range of YouTubers and bloggers recommending them. It started off with just the 'core collection' and then it grew from thereon. Most recently I've expanded my make up brush collected to include the new and limited edition version of brushes that the Chapman sisters have released.

 

This limited edition set of brushes comes with five brushes in an absolutely gorgeous pattern; black and white brush strokes with pink trims and matching black bristles with white ends. The brushes look stunning and also provide some usually lesser available options including a buffing brush, contour brush, stippling brush, deluxe crease brush and a base shadow brush. My favourite is definitely the deluxe crease brush as it creates the most insane highlight across the face. In all honesty all of these brushes have multiple uses and would work well with all skin types. My skin is very dry and sensitive and I don't find them harsh against the skin at all, the bristles feel very soft and fluffy. 

 

Below is a closer look as the brushes as a set outside of the original packaging; against the light backdrop you can really see how the brushes design really pops. These are definitely my new favourite set from the Real Techniques collection. The price point of £24.99 is actually incredible when you consider that for the price you receive five brushes when some of them cost roughly £10 individually; I've always found the Real Techniques brush sets are the best value as you get a lot for your money and they're great quality for the price point, too.

 

As a result of buying another set of brushes it was definitely time to invest in a make up bag just for brushes to use as both storage and also primarily for travelling as it's impossible to fit make up and brushes together in a bag as I have more brushes then I've shown in these pictures. I've had other sets of brushes for months now and I can definitely say that the quality is fantastic, they've lasted so well and look as good as new. I can't say for certain about the Berlin set just yet but I'm sure they'll be just as amazing. I've honestly never had any of the bristles fall out or become damaged either, which is great as these brushes are an investment piece for anyone.

 

It was seriously difficult to choose a make up bag that would work well for holding brushes and I finally settled on one from a brand that I truly love; the latest Cath Kidston collection is spectacularly gorgeous and I eventually settled on a beautiful pink and grey floral pattern in the new style cosmetic pouch which set me back £12. In my opinion it's worth every penny and it's a great statement piece with its rose gold detailing on the zip and edging. The new style also works really well for holding brushes and it is much, roomier than it looks which was a pleasant surprise as I ordered it from online so hadn't seen it beforehand. I'm really excited to use these brushes and the make up bag frequently in the coming months.

 

Favourite YouTubers #2

Last month I wrote a blogpost about the YouTubers that I'd been loving that month and I actually did enjoy it, similarly to how I enjoy writing about my favourite blogs or instagrammers of the moment, too. For me, YouTube is a great way of getting to sleep; I like watching a variety of different channels, popular or not and I've found it really helps me to wind down. It's nice  to just lay back and watch hauls, vlogs or beauty/fashion related tutorials. I feel like I've been enjoying quite a random mix of female YouTubers this month and they're all fairly established and successful in the YouTube and internet worlds.

 

meowitslucy

I've not been subscribed to Lucy for very long but thus far I've found her to be both refreshing and relatable. Her videos tackle a variety of subjects that would concern a twenty-something aged female, from the more standard YouTube videos such as 'Get Ready With Me' and 'Monthly Favorites' to more interesting and definitely more creative videos featuring poetry and spoken word. Lucy comes across as super intelligent but touching on subjects that are usually seen as taboo like alcohol addition made me really start to enjoy her videos, particularly as she doesn't seem overly polished or put together. I admire her honesty and girl next door vibe.

 

mandevillesisters

Two sisters (as the channel name would suggest) who create sketches and weekly vlogs are an excellent way of tackling the sigma surround physical disabilities as one sister has only one arm. However their humour, beauty and intelligence definitely prove that it's more than possible to have it all whilst making interesting but chatty videos. 'I lost my virginity', 'We are not perfect' and 'Why are you single?' are all examples of hilariously witty videos that not only feel relatable as they're subjects that most young females have to deal with but also have an appeal due to their honesty aspect; theyre not only charming, but likeable.

 

butimhereforever - imhereforevervlogs

Emily is one of those women who is ridiclously beautiful; but to be honest I actually really like the kinds of videos she posts as she often tests new make up, which helps someone like me decide whether it's worth spending my money or hauls ranging from Primark to Sephora. Considering how she seems to have it all, she does come across as fairly down to earth and her vlogs when she's at home with her family who she seems to be super close to which is nice. Her make up collection is literally insane and as I'm a fairly nosy person I just love peeking in at how other people live.

 

megsays - megsaysvlog

I really love Meg's videos and I've found that she always comes across as extremely relatable, for example she has a full time job outside of YouTube which is nice. I've been watching her for quite a while, one of the things that I really like is that she sits down with a cup of tea and comes across as being really chatty, relaxed and friendly. Her videos are rather varied, but my favourites at the moment are the first impressions and testing of new make up as she's got a very similar skin tone to mine so it's really useful to see what make up suits pale skin without spending a lot of money. Also she indulges in hauls and first impressions of blogger merchandise, such as the Zoella beauty and lifestyle ranges and giving genuine opinions.

 

snooksy - katiesnooksvlogs

Katie is one of the lesser known YouTubers on this list but actually my favourite; she's just so real and honest which is amazing to see. Whether that's talking about a difficult break up or having awful acne, she's like a breath of fresh air, reminding the viewers that even YouTubers don't have a perfect life. I feel like her videos are really well done and not just the same old challenges or tags. She's definitely braking the mold; her 'what's in my party bag?' video was actually so helpful in making me realise that I drag around too much crap all the time! She's one to watch for sure.

 

Happy Things #6

 

1. I've got back in touch with my closest friend I had in sixth form and I'm so glad that I've been making an effort to reform relationships and friendships that I had when I was younger. I'm not the same person and nor is she but that's fine, it's really nice to catch up and basically see where each of us in our lives.

2. My boyfriend made me the most amazing breakfast simply because I was having one of those days where you just feel like absolute shit, mentally and physically and I didn't appreciate it enough at the time, so here I am appreciating it now.

3. Feeling as though the new job is slowly beginning to make more sense and that I'm on the right track at last; it's hard to settle and get on board with new targets, new work mates and ultimately new responsibilities but it's finally feeling like everything is possible in time.

4. It feels like blogging is going well right now, I'm actually enjoying putting effort into posts and planning what kinds of posts I want to create, as well as being more consistent with posting regularly and making more decisions about whether a post is quality or not. At the moment I'm really proud of how my blog is coming along and can definitely see the improvements in my writing and photography since starting out.

5. I'm definitely eating more healthily and have far more energy than I've had for a while, due to sleeping much better. I'm now thinking about next steps and feeling more body positive than I've felt for years.

 

Book Review: Me Before You

 

I actually saw a trailer for the film on YouTube and remembered thinking that I'd really like to see it when I noticed it said adapted from a book; after going onto google afterward I found a book which matched what gist of the plot I'd got from the film trailer. With no further ado, I paid and downloaded the book Me Before You onto my kindle paperwhite and began to read. Whenever a book has been adapted into a film, 90% of the time I do my best to read the novel first as films never live up to your own imagination. The one thing that I really got from this book is that the writer had a really compelling way of delving in and out of different characters and using them to provide an overview of situations from all angles which I really liked.

The main character and overall voice of the book was somehow very simple but effective. What resonated with me was how she wasn't desperate to achieve anything, she was fairly content with her life; she just wanted to be able to provide for her family. It was nice to read a book where the main character wasn't made out to be this incredibly talented or beautiful being; instead she was a normal person who had flaws which was actually very refreshing. That said, she was definitely intelligent but she had never felt an impulses to improve her intelligence. At the start of the book, she was (in my opinion) a chatty, well meaning and carefree person. The book was fairly slow to begin with but as the chapters rolled onward it definitely picked up and became difficult to put down as the story expanded.

She finds herself changing careers and accidentally changes her life completely during the process. Suddenly her life is put into perspective due to the arrival of a severely disabled person becoming the one person to open her mind to possibilities and the outside world. I got the impression that she's very sensitive and genuinely struggles with the path that her life has taken. If I'm honest I didn't want this book to end, the message throughout was exceedingly powerful; there were many funny moments but many more emotionally difficult moments where you genuinely wanted to cry alongside the various characters. For me this book wasn't the standard rom-com or chic-lit as the story didn't pan out at all as I expected and definitely was far more sad then first thought. I absolutely loved it and would read it again in a heartbeat, but the ending definitely didn't live up to my personal expectations; it seemed to end so suddenly and without much thought, which was a shame.

I've now seen the film version and it was rubbish in comparison to the book but I still enjoyed it too. Both the book and the film forced me to feel as though I needed to be utterly and completely absorbed in the characters lives, particularly the main two but in reality I still can't explain the pull of seeing their relationship develop and ultimately come to an end. The book is an absolute rollercoaster but I definitely don't regret reading it and I actually have the sequel lined up to read in a week or so when I've recovered from this book. It takes a lot from the reader emotionally but that's what I think a novel should be able to do, to make you feel completely at one with what you're reading and want to know more. It's one to read if you want to read something well written, with plenty of substance that will make you think about taboo subjects. 

 

New month, new start

 

This year I'm feeling really focussed, which I'm achieving through seeing each month as an opportunity to achieve something and not simply looking at the overall year. I've come to the conclusion that this is the most effective way to achieve anything throughout the year, you have to remain focussed on a variety of things. During February there are several things that I'd like to concentrate on; February is a short month, so I've kept my plans fairly short and fairly realistic.

1. I'm planning to focus on my new job and really give it my full 100% as I want to improve as much as possible. It's a fantastic opportunity and one that I really, really don't want to waste. I'm definitely one of those people who learns something quickly but I struggle to be good at it and therefore I feel as though I have to constantly practice. 

2. I want to start planning out a new hobby, which is going to be scrapbooking. I have so many ideas and also so many photographs and memories to place inside it. Now that I'm working less I want to force myself to enjoy something and basically get out of bed and be more productive. As I already have 90% of the materials that I'll need I have no excuse not to start!

3. My boyfriend is a huge priority in my life and I feel like I don't appreciate the time we spend together enough; I work in the days now and he works in the night so I want to appreciate the time we spend together much more and hopefully get out of the house and enjoy the world more. Even if that means going to a park or a coffee shop, it'll be nice just to do something a bit special a couple of times a month.

4. I need to force myself to text some friends from university, from school... Even from my old workplace! I want to rekindle old relationships and really make an effort to keep my friendships as they were obviously formed for a reason so it's a shame not to keep them up. I really miss some people and that's something that I can make an effort to change.