December Favourites

Last monthly favourites of the year, argh! Definitely got a few good ones in this month. I can't wait to see what 2016 brings...

Reading Round Up 2015 - Part 2

I did it! I reached my target of 25 books in 2015! I posted Part 1 of my 'books read' back in July, so here's Part 2.

As ever, feel free to add me on Goodreads!

H&M: Close the Loop

A few months back, I was browsing H&M and saw some green leaflets near the till. Turns out you can bring in old clothes for recycling and get a £5 voucher in return! I think it's an amazing concept. For clothes that are still perfectly wearable, I think charity shops are a better option, but for those falling apart items H&M is perfect!

Debenhams Beauty: Treat Yo Self

I can't resist a good deal on beauty products. Debenhams really lured me in with their 10% off offer! How often do you get 10% off MAC? (well, apart from all of the crazy Black Friday deals that've been around recently)

November Favourites

We're almost at the end of 2015! Argh!
But we are reaching my favourite time of year, Christmas. The weather has been pretty foul this month and although I love the cold and the snow (which we had a tiny amount of, but it was pretty pathetic and had melted by morning), the rain and wind has been horrible. Here's to hoping for a dry December!

Disappointing Books

I do a fair bit of research before I read a book; I want to make sure I'm not wasting my money. Usually I get it right, but here are four books that I didn't love as much as I hoped...

Autumn/Winter Lips

Clockwise from the top: Rimmel Apocalips Across the Universe and Eclipse; No7 Precision Lip Pencil in Melon; Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in Eastend Snob; Revlon Matte Balm in  Sultry; No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Cranberry; MAC Please Me; Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry; Maybelline Color Sensational Matte in Nude Embrace; Rimmel Kate Moss 107

I decided to have a root through my make up and put together an autumn/winter lip wardrobe. I've put together a mix of shades to suit every occasion!

October Favourites

Another month gone! Even though it feels far away, I'm starting to get excited about Christmas! It's still way too early for Christmas songs though, maybe in a week or two...

My Reading Habits // Tag

I've never done a tag before on this blog, so I thought I'd start with a book tag. As an English graduate, I quite obviously love reading. However, it took me quite a long time to get back into it - after 3 years of nothing but university books, my brain had kind of turned to mush! But this year I have challenged myself to read 25 books, and I'm almost there!

Blog Sale Shopping

I had an itch to buy Mac. I'd been umming and ahhing, adding stuff to my basket and taking it out again. Then, whilst mooching around on Twitter, I spotted Laura's (beautyloversnotes) blog sale. Mac lipsticks for £3 and £5? Yes please!

The Naked Choir: The Sons of Pitches

I might be a little bit biased on this one (one of my besties is a SoP wag; am under strict instructions to share share share), but last night The Sons of Pitches killed it!

I am quite partial to a bit of Kate Bush, so last week's Wuthering Heights was right up my street. However considering that 'MMMBop in 10 Genres' was arranged and recorded in just one week (including the video), mad props to SoP!

I'm not usually one for Gareth Malone tv shows, but I really have loved this series. Pitch Perfect much?

Seventeen Mirror Shine Lipstick: Beehive

For many years, Revlon's Lip Butter in Peach Parfait has been my trusty 'on the go' companion. It's finally starting to run out, but I didn't want to repurchase because I have a few problems with it - it's sticky (constantly getting my hair stuck in it) and the glitter feels grainy. Now that might just be because I've had it for three years now but either way, I wanted a change.

That's where Beehive steps in.

Vintage Finds: Lucy & the Caterpillar Vintage Boutique

I know I go on about it a lot, but back in August I traveled to Iceland. I longed for an Icelandic jumper, but they were way too expensive for me.

Fast forward to October, and I'm mooching around Hebden Bridge with my boyfriend. I'd spotted the sign for a 'vintage boutique' before, but this time I finally decided to follow it and go inside.
I'm so glad I did. A vintage Handknitting Association of Iceland jumper (a shop that I actually went into whilst I was in Reykjavik) for £25! I just couldn't leave it behind; I had to have it in my life. And luckily, it fit!

It's a little bit short on the arms for me, which I'm actually quite happy about because I'm always rolling my sleeves up anyway. It's handknitted from Icelandic 'lopi' yarn, meaning it is lovely and warm. My Christmas jumper for 2015?

As for the shop - Lucy & the Caterpillar Vintage Boutique is amazing. It's a Aladdin's cave of vintage finds, and at affordable prices. It's inside an old mill building (upstairs from the Innovation cafe and gift shop); she also has her own clothing range, I am Lucille, which you can find on Etsy. I hope my boyfriend doesn't mind, because I'll be insisting that we go there every time I visit him from now on!

Nadiya: Queen of the Bake Off

So if you're British you'll of course know that The Great British Bake Off final was last night. And my favourite contestant, Nadiya, won!

But there was something Nadiya said that struck me quite hard:

"I am never, ever going to put boundaries on myself ever again. I'm never going to say 'I can't do it.'

I'm never going to say, 'maybe.'

I'm never going to say 'I don't think I can.'

I can and I will."

I know this is a show about baking, and I know it sounds silly, but her words are important. As someone with trouble managing her anxiety, I'm always saying "I can't do it" (often whilst crying down the phone to my mum/boyfriend). But through all the sobbing and doubting myself, I have it in me to accomplish what I set out to do. Yeah, my quest isn't to win a baking competition, but I still need to believe in myself. I need to believe that I can do things on my own without panicking. I'm not going to go out tomorrow and go into town alone then get a long distance train somewhere, but that doesn't mean I never will. There is no maybe; I will be able to do it.

And that's why we have to listen to Nadiya's words.

You can do it, you can and you will.

September Favourites

Another month; this year is going fast! My other posts might sometimes be sporadic, but I'm proud that I can stick to the routine of monthly favourites. I feel like I haven't had many book favourites for a while... need to find some better books to read!

Lush 'Hello Gorgeous' unboxing and review

My boyfriend buys good presents. I jokingly asked for him to 'bring me a souvenir' when he was in London last month; he bought this for me. I'm excited to try the products because I've never had any of them before!

August Favourites

My favourites post this month is short and sweet, because I've had a really hard time thinking of what to write! Maybe because I've been busy, maybe because some of my July Favourites rolled over from last month? Who knows, but this post definitely won't take you long to read!

Laura's Travels - Iceland

Outside Blue Lagoon Spa

I've always wanted to visit Iceland. The whole idea of a volcanic island perched in the middle of the Atlantic has always interested me. This summer, I finally got to go.

Soap and Glory 'Sexy Mother Pucker' Matte Lipsticks

I've been on a hunt to buy some lipsticks for everyday use - I kept looking in my makeup drawers and only being able to find reds and berry tones. I've also been on the look out for matte lipsticks, because I wanted something a little bit more long lasting. I came across the Soap and Glory lipsticks, and knew that I had to try them. Plus, they were on buy one get one half price in Boots so I decided that was excuse enough...

Payday Wish List

I graduated from university in July 2014. Since then I've done odd jobs, work experience and internships. Nothing long term. Currently I have two intern/volunteer roles, and this month I also have plans to volunteer in a library. Busy busy, but not exactly much income. So I have a bit of an ongoing 'wish list' situation going on in my head. Hopefully soon I'll get a more permanent job and actually be able to afford some of them...

A Quick Trip to Ikea: Updating My Dresser

I don't have a desk or a dressing table; I keep all my make up, hair and beauty bits on top of my chest of drawers. One day I want a dressing table with a drawer in it, so that I can tuck things away. But for now, I have this weird setup.

This weekend I went to Ikea and picked up a couple of things to make it a bit more organised. To me, it still looks a bit cluttered, but at least everything has its place. And I only spent £6.50!

July Favourites

Wow, this month has been hectic. I've been so busy trying to sort my life out I feel like I rarely sit down and write anything. Definitely need to work on my blog post ideas next month!

Reading Round Up 2015 - Part 1

I wanted to blog about what books I read this year, because my unofficial New Year's Resolution was to read more. I soon realised that if I did one post in December summarising every book I read in 2015, it'd be way too long. We've just passed halfway through the year, so here is what I've read so far!

Thought I'd take photos in the garden, seeing as the weather is so nice right now!

My aim for this year was to read 25 books. So far I've read 11 (haven't quite finished The Colour of Magic but I've added it anyway). Not bad I suppose? I've given the books the same ratings as I did on Goodreads (you can find me here).

So, in no particular order...

June Favourites

Back again! Another month, another list of favourites...

Summer Sales Spree: Shopping in Manchester

So I decided to swear off buying make up after last week's haul, and ended up buying clothes instead. My poor bank account! Today I went into Manchester with my mum and sister, where I bagged a couple of deals. I visited Topshop, New Look, Marks and Spencer, Boots and Primark.

All in a day's work!

Makeup Haul! Boots/Superdrug - L'oréal, MaxFactor, Maybelline and Natural Collection

Looking at all of this makeup collected together on my dresser, this looks like a pretty big haul by my standards. But I reassure you, this has been purchased over the last month or two. One of which was a trip to Superdrug whilst I was visiting my boyfriend in Wales where, thanks to 3 for 2 and Beautycard/student discounts, I saved almost £13 in one purchase! I feel so proud every time I think about it.
  Omitted from this haul are a couple of things, all from Rimmel - the Clear Complexion Transparent Powder, Wake Me Up Concealer, and a Brow Pencil - simply because they're every day items that I repurchase over and over, so they didn't feel too exciting. I am, however, thinking of doing a post including my 'make up must haves/drugstore starter kit' in which they would most definitely feature! And so, on with the haul!

May Favourites

Another month gone! Wow. Everyone says this in monthly favourites posts, but this month went so quickly. Summer is on its way! Although I'm more of an autumn/winter person... it's sad to start saying goodbye to my jumpers and scarves!
May was my birthday month, so there's a couple of favourites that were birthday presents. Some of this post was tough to put together, because I feel like a lot of my May favourites were ones rolled over from April. I really need to find some new tv shows and food faves...

My make up brush collection

So I picked up a couple of new brushes today whilst in Boots; they more impulse buys than anything else really (I had a 25% off coupon). When I got home and added them to my brush pot (an old Starbuck's Frappucino cup) I realised that I owned quite a selection. Plus they were all freshly cleaned. And so this post was born!

Diary of a dinosaur addict

So if you read my March favourites post, then you'll know I have a weird thing for dinosaurs right now. I don't even know why, I just do. I've been playing the Jurassic Park game on my iPad mini and am currently reading said book, by Michael Crichton. Obsessed.

April Favourites

Hi guys, back for another favourites post! I actually really enjoy writing these - thinking about what you've enjoyed in the past month is actually a really positive activity! I hope you enjoy my recommendations :)

Benefit 'Primping with the Stars' unboxing and review!

During the Easter holidays my parents and sister went to Rome. Instead of buying something souvenir-y they got me this from the airport duty free. They know me well. So I thought I'd do an unboxing post because it's rare I get gift sets like this. Plus I've been struggling to come up with post ideas. Thank God they didn't get me a Pope bobblehead!

March Favourites

So I decided that in 2015 I would strive to update this blog more often. So far I have failed. This was originally a February favourites post but the list was about 3 items long, so I've combined it with March...