Good day,

and that's ok.

I don't want to be anymore. That is also ok. 

Here's my story.

I'm loosing weight because I want my body to be healthier, to work better, to be able to do more. Not because I feel shamed into looking a certain way. This is something I've had to drill into myself over the last few months. For a long time I felt that in order for me to be 'liked' or 'accepted' I'd need to look a certain way, be under a certain weight, but over the years so much has taught me that, that is complete bullshit. Why is it that we feel that way? Why for so long did I feel ashamed of how I looked. I'm sad that I wasted so much time worrying about what I looked like to other people when all that should have mattered is how I felt, whether I liked what I was wearing that day.  

In January my life changed entirely. My husband and I moved to the US, packing up everything we own, saying goodbye to everyone we knew, and starting again. Well for me at least. My husband was being transferred through work, so same job, different people. I however would be out of work until I got an EAD approved. This meant I'd have a lot of free time. Time that I vowed I would use to 'work' on myself, until I was able to 'work', in the literal sense. 

My weight has been an issue for a good decade, going up and down significantly in that time. Over the years I've tried so many diets, that work fantastically, until you stop. I'd always find an excuse, for everything, why I couldn't work out, why I ate the way I did. But when we moved I was given an opportunity to completely change my routine and my mindset, To change everything. The difference is, this time I'm not on a diet. I'm not doing anything fancy. I count what goes in, I increased my exercise. I still have days where I sit around and do nothing, and nights where we order way too much food and eat it all! The difference is I'm way more conscious of that, I make adjustments to my meals if I fancy eating something a little more exuberant later on, i.e the deep dish pizza we had on my birthday was preceded with a 2 hour walk around Chicago. It's all about moderation. This is not a quick fix, and it's going to take a lot longer than at first, I thought I wanted it to but I'm ok with that. Because I know only too well how unattainable the lifestyle of someone who doesn't eat carbs but looses 4 lbs a week is. Been there. Several times. I even have the t-shirt, that's now too small because I gained the weight I lost and then some. If you have any interest in what I have to say you might like to follow my journey through other mediums. Here are links to sites I have found invaluable in helping me to achieve my goals, through support of others and learning to be more accountable.  Twinbody and My fitness pal.

Thank you for reading.

Hey, 

It's been a while since I wrote one of these, I was writing up a review on amazon I thought I'd share it here too!

I'm going to review a set of gel polishes that I bought on amazon Here. I'd never heard of the brand, or used their products before but wanted some new gel polishes in a variety of colours. You can find sets for anything between $10-$100 of varying quality. When I placed the order back in April, I was a little skeptical. Eight bottles of gel polish for $13.99? They can't be that good, but the reviews looked ok and I figured I had nothing to loose. I was initially drawn in by the colour selection and then of course the price. They're right up my street and looked perfect for summer. The package did take a while to arrive, a little over five weeks, but this was something I was aware of when making the order. 

The products themselves are worth the wait! For me they perform as well as my more 'expensive' gel polishes, and for the price they are definitely value for money. The colours look vibrant in the bottle, but do apply quite sheer,  I found I needed three coats to create the more opaque coverage I like. This is not unusual for gel polish, and I find applying several thinner coats a better method. The application is smooth and the consistency is easy to work with. They worked well with my existing base and top coat. Whilst I haven't had chance to apply them all yet, I am looking forward to trying them. 

The bottles are 8ml and personally I like them smaller because I find them easier to use up, meaning less waste! Being that you get 8 colours to choose from, I'm sure they will last a good while! For me to comment on their longevity would be pointless, I'm a nail polish addict that can't keep a particular shade on for longer than a few days! My assumption would be that they would last as long as any well cared for gel manicure depending on the environment and activities of the wearer! Over all, super happy! 

Just after Christmas I was walking round John Lewis looking for something to buy as a little post Christmas sale treat. I wasn't really sure what I even wanted to be honest and I was just browsing the general beauty section. Something about this set caught my eye, and at £20ish pounds I was sold. I've  never really used origins products before but the fact that it was a set of four face masks (literally obsessed with face masks!) I was happy to make the purchase. I believe the set was limited edition as I can't seem to find it online anywhere aside this eBay seller, I know that's the least helpful link ever but you get the gist. Anyway! Where was I? I have since tried each mask on more than one occasion and can say that each has great qualities, depending on my skins particular needs (I have combination skin ranging from super oily to dry as hell) which is one of the selling points as I quite often have different skin needs. My favourite has to be the 10 minute rescue. It just feels simply wonderful on the skin, a cooling, refreshing mask that leaves the skin super soft. As seen below. Rather fetching isn't it?

                       

My second favourite is the GinZing mask, again a really refreshing clear mask that leaves skin feeling awake. Nice scent too.

Admittedly, I have used the other two less than the first two, simply because I have enjoyed them both so much. The charcoal one is ok, it's not mind glowingly good but it definitely leaves the skins feeling clean. Lastly, the over night moisture mask. Again a lovely product but as I haven't had much call for a moisturising product lately I find myself reaching for it less. Overall super happy with my purchase, and I would happily pay full price for the first two I mentioned! Thank you for reading.

Good day, hello! Welcome to my blog.

Favourite thing about Autumn? I love the cooler weather and crisp morning air! 

Favourite drink? Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Favorite scent? Something subtle/musky like Amber.

Go to colours for the eyes? A smokey bronze/brown look.

Favourite outfit to wear? big wooly jumpers and boots. 

Autumn Treat? Starbucks rocky road to go with my pumpkin spice latte ;)

Today is a bank holiday, which means I'm off work. Which also means I have 'time' to do a quick post.  

So...

Hi.

How are you?

Good! Glad we've got that out the way. 

I'm not sure what this post is going to be about. I have a feeling update posts are marginally more boring than I anticipate and therefore want to stay away from doing that. Part of the reason I am ridiculously bad at updating this blog is just plain laziness. Another reason, as of my last post I had uploaded exactly 250, and I just really liked having a round number of posts. Very sad. 

Well this is going nowhere is it?

I guess I could share with you something I recently received as a birthday present. Lets go back a few weeks. It was late in the evening, I was on the phone to my mum and we started talking about an idea I had for a tattoo. I sent her a picture of the source of the inspiration an a brief description about how I want it too look/location etc. Bare in mind, My mum generally hates tattoos and is always telling me not to get anymore (I have two small ones already)

My idea comes from this 

ahhh!

I don't know what possessed me but I decided to film a tutorial.

Might as well jump in at the deep end right?

Please be kind.

Thank you for reading (and watching).

Hi,

 I wanted to share a few pictures of the makeup I wore to my work christmas party, 

I used a Catrice Palette previously mentioned here for the shadows and the glitter eye liner is by Collection. The photo's do not do it justice, the glitter liner is gorgeous. The black liner is by 17 and I used Clinique High Impact mascara, That's about it!

*excuse the terrible skin/spots. 

Thank you for reading. 

1. Whats Your Favorite Holiday Movie? Home Alone.

2. What Are Your Favorite Christmas Colours? Purple and Silver.

3. Do You Like To Stay in Your PJs Or Dress Up For Christmas? Dress up!

4. If You Could Only Buy One Person a Present This Year Who Would It Be? My mum

10. Favorite Christmas Meal Or Treat? Meal has to be christmas dinner! and treat anything that contains chocolate! 

Thank you for reading. 

so... it's been a while hasn't it? what 3, 4 months? 

I've been meaning to update this blog for a while but it just hasn't happened. Better late than never right? And what better time than just before Christmas! well I say that it's still a month away but I'm so excited I could burst. I'm thinking about doing a few tag posts to get me back into the swing of things, but I guess I should do a little update first. 

I'm working full time now, which is good. I'm really enjoying it and it's not in retail which is awesome. Last week I graduated, which was actually pretty cool. The ceremony was as the O2 arena (indigo2). My mum came to stay with us for a few days and I took time off work to spend with her and my brother, it was lovely.