Keeping Organised

I'm a bit late buying a diary this year mainly because I didn't do all that much in January but with the return to University lurking around the corner, it was a necessity. I like to have a place to write down my thoughts, and plan my days and upcoming events - being organised just makes everything a heck of a lot easier. Last year my organiser was filled to the brim it was used that much and that's before I had bills to pay and such. Since being back at Uni two days I'm already suffering from a lack of sleep (tea is definitely my best friend at the minute), lack of food and a bombardment of deadlines, we've really been chucked in the deep end so this little thing will definitely help me to stay on top of things.

Therefore on the weekend I popped into Paperchase to see what I could find and fell in love with this little diary. Its  not too bright a blue colour and has flowers more or less all over the place with a scribble effect at the bottom and although its something I'd never usually go for - hello pastels - it's different and I'm glad I decided to get it. It also has a full page dedicated to each day which I love as the tiny little diaries you can never write enough in... I have a lot to say/plan. This is a diary that I'm more likely to take out with me instead of my plain black one, as its a lot prettier, so this shall now be taking up residence in my handbag with my newly bought blogging notebook, could I get any more organised?

I also realise that this is a much smaller post than usual but I'm still getting used to my timetable and experimenting where the best place to take photos is in my uni house for lighting and such. The photo above I swear was white when I took it but now the background looks slightly blue which is annoying but hey, at least it matches the diary.

Has anybody else got a really cute diary for the year? or any recommendations? I think I might just need another. Let me know :) 

Thanks for reading, Jenny xo 

P.s please feel free to follow me both on Google Friend Connect and Bloglovin'.

FOTD;

I thought I'd share with you lovely readers my FOTD, I was only popping into town for a few things and it was just one of those days when I had little time and didn't want to spend hours doing a full face of makeup. It also seemed a bit wasteful and for this reason I opted for a fairly quick and natural look. 

For my base I experimented a little and mixed together my Wake Me Up Foundation in shade 100 - Ivory and my Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in the shade 51 to create a flawless base (I'll definitely be using this duo again in the future). I then used my Real Techniques powder brush to apply my Stay Matte powder just to make sure everything would stay in place and after that used the Rimmel Sun Shimmer Bronzer on my cheeks to give them a pop of colour. I then used my MUA brow pencil in blonde to fill in my brows and after touched them up with the darkest shade of eyeshadow in my MUA heaven and earth palette - I cannot express just how handy this little palette is. I usually just apply eyeshadow and mascara in the mornings and eyeliner on a special occasion but strangely enough today I decided to go without eyeshadow and apply eyeliner instead, weird right. The one I applied along my upper lash line was my Collection 24 hour felt tip liner in black and then I applied a black pencil along my lower lash instead. Then for mascara I used the new L'oreal Miss Manga mascara which really makes all the difference to my natural lashes. And for lips I used my Babylips in Hydrate to ensure my lips were moisturised and then my Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in Shade 101 - definitely keeping the neutral theme going on. (oh and I apologise for the topsy turvy photos but the landscape photos of my face just didn't show the make up at all).  

Thanks for reading, Jenny xo

P.s feel free to follow me both on Bloglovin' and GFC.

Liebster Award

Hi there guys :) I'm still getting to grips with blogging or blogging regularly, January is such a hectic month! but when I was reading through my comments (which are always lovely - thank you) I saw that Tansy Pansy, Casual Blogging and Nisha Petal had all nominated this blog for the Liebster Award! Thank means a heck of a lot and I feel so grateful so thank you :) 

At first I hadn't a clue what this was, I'd always seen it popping up other peoples blogs but never looked into it any further so I visited their blogs to find out exactly what is was. It's sort of like a Youtube tag and allows blogs who have under 200 followers a sort of platform and a chance to discover up and coming blogs and make new friends along the way. Its a really nice idea and seems to give new bloggers motivation that if they keep going it'll be worth it too. 

The rules are as following:

- mention the person who nominated you with a link to their blog.

- answer the 11 questions provided by the person who nominated you.

- nominate 11 other bloggers with less than 200 followers.

- create a new set of 11 questions for your nominees to answer.

These are the question that I was asked by the lovely Tansy Pansy: 

1. What is your favourite fashion season? Spring/Summer? Autumn/Winter?
It'd a hard one, definitely a toss up between Spring and Autumn, I'm split between my love for pastels and warm cosy clothing as Autumns a good excuse to bundle up in big jumpers and scarves and resemble a snowman.
2. How long does it take you to do your makeup on a day-to-day basis? 
If I'm in a rush about 10-15 minutes, just some foundation, powder, mascara and that's me but if I have plenty of time I'll laze about and it can take half an hour, maybe more.
3. Favourite skin care product? 
I actually posted a review (link here) yesterday about my favourite skin care product at the minute.
4. Is there a novel/film/song that's changed your life or made you think differently? 
Theres more than a few that give you a change of heart afterwards, I think you just need to appreciate life, making the most out of things and to be grateful for what you have, your friends and family and most importantly your health.
5. What's your favourite high street shop? 
You can't go wrong with good old Primark, it's so handy but my all time favourite is either Topshop or New Look. Their clothes and shoes are amazing = not so good for my bank balance.
6. What item of clothing do you find yourself wearing the most? 
I bought a staple black bodycon skirt last year sometime from H&M and it's my go to skirt. It can be paired with practically anything and it's great for chucking on with some tights and ankle boots, perfect for the mornings when you want some extra minutes in bed.
7. If you had enough money to spend a day doing anything you wanted, what would you do? 
I think book all my favourite artists and just have a non stop concert, that'd definitely be a day to remember or my original plan travel the world, but I can't do that in a day unfortunately.
8. How do you beat the January blues? 
I try and save as much money as possible, have lots of pamper evenings and just spend time around family and friends - that always cheers everyone up.
9. Whats the best holiday you've ever had?
I loved going to Italy (on a school trip) it was absolutely beautiful and the weather while we were there was amazing! Aside from that I love going to Majorca/Menorca on family holidays, it always seems so peaceful compared to mainland Spain and the weather is always perfect.
10. What have you most enjoyed about blogging so far?
I haven't been blogging for that long, 18 days off and on in fact but I love discovering new blogs, talking to new people and reading other views and posts on things. It's always lovely!
AND finally as Valentines Day is fast approaching.... 11. Do you have any top tips for being single on Valentines Day!? 
A few big bars of chocolate, a bunch of movies and invite the girlies round for a movie night - just treat it like another day or else spoil yourself silly and do some retail therapy ;)

The questions I was asked by the lovely Casual Blogging: 

1.  What is the reason you started blogging? 
After discovering the world of blogging and Youtube I realised how fun it would be to get involved in something like that and with a passion for makeup and beauty I thought what could be better than starting up a blog. I'd wanted to take the first step and start one up months ago but I wasn't sure how to go about it but then I looked it all up and alas here we are.
2. Who is your biggest inspiration? (Non Beauty or Beauty related) 
I never really had a massive life changing inspirational person, I love my family and friends as they're so supportive and over the years there's always been the odd fashion inspiration but nothing major. A more recent non beauty inspiration is Demi Lovato - she's battled through so much and is such an amazing person. In a blogging aspect it'd have to be either Zoella, Louise or Tanya Burr.
3. Drugstore or high end. Your reasons. 
I like to buy high end things like most people but Drugstore wins, there's just so many new and affordable things to try out.
4. Whats your favourite go to make up look? 
I love just a natural looking base and eye makeup (sort of a my face but better look) and then adding a pop of colour on my lips, normally in the morning I don't have time for much else.
5. You're stranded on an island. Pick three celebrities to be there with you. 
Jessie J, Zac Efron and One Direction - I can't just pick one member so I'll have all five and count them as one ;)
6. What are you looking up to this year? 
I have a University tip to Cyprus which will be something different, my 20th birthday (its a massive one, goodbye teenage years), going to London, most of my friends are turning 21 at the end of the year so alot of parties and anything else exciting that happens.
7.  Where is your favourite place to write your blog? 
This isn't a hard one, either in front of the fire or on my bed. In the summer though I'll be a bit more adventurous and might start blogging from the garden.
8. Fav beauty book? Fav non beauty book? 
It would have to be Bobbi Browns Makeup Manual and the Harry Potter Series! I love them all and they're such a good read.
9. When did you start vlogging? Do you have a Youtube channel or are you willing to start one? 
I don't have a Youtube channel/vlog and I don't really know if I'd be willing to start one. I've only just started my blog so I'd like to get it sorted before venturing off, plus me being me I probably wouldn't even be able to edit the videos lol! That and I don't like my accent when it shows up on video oops.
10.  Skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans? 
Skinny jeans.
11. Tell us something about yourself.
This is my last year being a teenager (well half a year) although I look like a 15 year old so I'm going to make the most of it.

AND then the questions I was asked by the lovely Nisha Petal: 

1. Why did you start blogging? 
This is the same as question 1 above.
2. Heels or flats? 
Is it possible to have an in between, I love wearing ankle boots with a little heel? If not heels, I need all the height I can get lol!
3. Whats your favourite season? 
Summer if we get the weather that we're meant to get - I'm definately a summer baby :)
4. Which one beauty product could you not live without? 
I'd have to say mascara, my eyes look so tiny without it on and I'd be able to cope without foundation or concealer.
5. Are you an intovert or extrovert? 
Around people I don't know I'm awfully quiet but in the comfort of my friends and family I can be quite loud. I suppose it depends on the company.
7. Whats your favourite clothes store? 
Topshop by far, closely followed by Primark, Zara and New Look.
8. Favourite lipstick? 
The Kate Moss Lipsticks by Rimmel are probably my all time favourite - they're just amazing for the price that they are and there's so many lovely shades.
9. Whats your dream job?
This is something I haven't quite figured out yet but I've always got a couple of years to sort it.
10. Whats your favourite quote? 
I have loads I like but I've always thought this Harry Potter quote was a good one "happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light".
11. Your favourite cocktail? 
Sex on the Beach, yuum!

My nominees are: (in no particular order) 

1. Tiana, tianarobina.blogspot.co.uk    2. Chloe, chloesthoughtss.blogspot.com
3. Kate, themakeupdiary13.blogspot.co.nz   4. Samanta, samantamonta.blogspot.co.uk
5. Demi, Beautykiss14.blogspot.co.uk    6. Emma, faithfullyemma.blogspot.co.uk
7. Katie, thesavvystyler1.blogspot.com     8. Melissa, styleebeautyy.blogspot.co.uk
9. Amy, amygg.blogspot.com       10. Robyn, robyncaitlin.com
11. Lauren, birchiebeauty.blogspot.com

AND these are the questions for my lovely nominees: 

1. What's your favourite place to shop?
2. Who's your all time favourite blogger or Youtuber?
3. Describe yourself in 3 words.
4. Whats your ultimate styling tip?
5. What are your 5 top beauty products at the moment?
6. What is your favourite tv series or movie?
7. Chocolate or Crisps?
8. What are your 5 top non beauty products at the moment?
9. Is there anything you are looking forward to in 2014?
10. Who's your celebrity crush?
11. What do you hope to achieve by this time next year?

I hope you all enjoy doing this as much as I did. Feel free to leave a link below if you do:) Good luck! Jenny xo

Review: Shine Control Moisturiser

Over the holidays I indulged in, dare I say it far too much chocolate and sweets even for my liking and my skin really suffered as a result. I had a lot of breakouts, not massive ones but enough to knock your self confidence a little. I usually hate putting make up on my face when my skins like this and hibernate for a few days allowing my skin to breathe but not anymore.

This Shine Control Day Moisturiser from the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel range had been collecting dust in the bottom of my drawer and on a whim I decided to see if it would make any difference to my skin and I can't believe I hadn't got round to using it sooner - it's an absolute skin saver! Its a gel like consistency and claims to lightly moisturise and care for your skin meanwhile blotting up excess oils and controlling shine. Check, check and check. It definitely does all of the above. It's perfect for everyday use and my skin has improved so much whilst using this, I've suffered from little to none breakouts and my skin just feels a lot healthier. After washing my face in the morning I apply this and for the rest of the day my skin is as soft as ever and as strange as this sounds very touchable - it just makes me want to touch my face which could possibly earn a few odd looks if I'm in public but you get the jist.

This is definitely going to be added to my skincare routine and for being so inexpensive I had doubts about it actually working but that just goes to show not all amazing products have to cost a lot. I think I'm going to have to invest in a few other products in the range to see if they work just as well as this. 

If anyone has tried any amazing skincare products lately or any from this range, please let me now? I love trying new products :) Thanks for reading, Jenny xo 

Beauty Haul

You know you have a problem when you go in to Boots to buy the Stay Matte Powder and you come out with a heck of a lot more. There's so many amazing offers across all of the brands at the minute and I couldn't help but be lured in yet again oops. 

When I walk around the drugstore I tend to forget about why I actually went in and get distracted by all of the other amazing products instead - I really should start making shopping lists. Firstly I picked up the MUA eyebrow pencil in blonde, this may seem a little odd since my hairs now been dyed brunette but strangely enough it still suits and does all an eyebrow pencil needs to do and more. I then saw a huge stand in Boots advertising the new LOreal Paris Miss Manga Mascara, this and the numerous adverts on my t.v (I'll blame them) made me pop it in my basket. My lashes are quite short so I'm always on the look out for something which will both lengthen and volumize them so here's hoping. Once I've used it a couple of times I'll be sure to post a review letting you lovely readers know whether its been a success or not.    

Also Rimmel in particular has loads of great offers on at the moment and I was able to repurchase my trusted Wake Me Up Foundation in the shade 100-Ivory as my one at present is definitely on it's way out with it being my everyday go to foundation and all. Then I popped in my basket the famous Stay Matte Powder (the one thing that I actually needed) - an essential for every makeup bag. Whilst at the stand I realised that although the foundation is one of my favourites I'd never tried the Wake Me Up Concealer and with it being £2 cheaper than normal I decided this would be a good time to, picking up the same shade as my foundation 'Ivory'. Since I was going a little concealer crazy I also picked up the MUA concealer stick in 'fair', I remember buying this months ago and I haven't a clue where it disappeared to so hopefully this one won't do the same. 

Finally I decided to purchase one of the new(ish) Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks. There was an offer in which these ever so popular lipsticks were only £4 something and when I popped in to the shops there were very little left, maybe I just picked the wrong day to go shopping. As there were so little I was only able to pick up one in the shade '180-Vintage Pink', it's the most amazing colour and it really stood out to me as a nice wearable everyday shade. I'm definitely going to purchase a few more of these and I'll be sure to write a little review when they've been tested out properly. 

So that's a couple of the things that I've picked up over the past week (I know its a lot but I got my student loan in and treated myself). Has anyone else been bought anything nice lately? Or any of the above products? Let me know :) 

Thanks for reading, Jenny xo          

Vacation Time

With this being my first beauty post I thought it should be about something I could talk forever about, that being my ever growing nail polish collection. Since last year when the Sinful Colours nail polish range was introduced to Boots its been no stranger to my collection and I now own plenty of these little bottles. The colour that I wanted to talk about and probably my favourite by a long mile is Sinful Colours Vacation Time. It's a nudey/pinky toned nail polish which is suitable for all year round and is something I know I can put on my nails and it'll go with everything. It works for all skin tones and is just an all round flattering shade.

The quality is amazing and each time I've painted my nails only one coat has been needed, you'd think with only one coat that there would be loads of chipping but no. There is a huge colour range and it's quickly become one of my favourite nail polish brands within the drugstore. Each bottle holds 15ml which is a lot in terms of nail polish and with it only being £1.99 it's a right bargain and definitely a winner in my books.

The logo on the top I just thought was a nice finishing touch

I apologise for my hand looking so dodgy, the lighting was going and its awfully awkward
to take a photo of your own hand whilst trying to focus a camera, do not try at home.

If anyone has tried any other lovely colours from this range let me know? I'd love to try some that I haven't as of yet. Thanks for reading, Jenny xo  

New Year, New Me, New Blog

For months now I've been arguing with myself whether to finally start a blog and whether I have the motivation to stick to it. With the new year it seemed the perfect opportunity to give it a go.  

Originally I thought hmm let's make a beauty blog because they're the type of blogs that I'm drawn to and shamelessly spend hours reading through but every once in a while a little change up can be good. Therefore I decided that my blog isn't going to be primarily based on beauty but also events and lifestyle posts on my day to day life and the odd occasional exciting thing that happens.

This year I've decided to have a more positive outlook on everything and by doing so made some New Years resolutions. Everyone usually makes those such as 'I want to lose weight', 'give up smoking' or 'eat healthier' to name a few but by the second week of January all that motivation is out the window. As a result I've thought of a few that are realistic for me and that I shall (fingers crossed) be able to keep.

1. Find a proper skincare routine and stick to it - this is mainly due to a lack of effort on my behalf but all wrong doings will be altered in the new year. A little extra time should do the trick.

2. Another beauty related resolution of mine is to experiment with makeup looks and try new products - my usual go to makeup is natural, natural and natural with the odd bold lip and some eyeliner for a night out. Not very adventurous at all so this'll definitely be a big change for me.

3. The usual cliche, an important resolution which I'm determined to keep is exercising. I have a few holidays and trips planned already this year - one being as early as April and I want to look and feel my best. I've already set up an exercising routine which will suit me and only takes up an hour of my day. As well as this I want to start Pilates so this will help me with the whole getting fitter malarkey.

4. My camera wasn't working for the most part of 2013 and because of this its been one of those years where there's a handful of photos when there should be tonnes. Therefore this year my camera will never be out of my hands and the aim is to document everything (well maybe not everything) but most things so in a few years I can look back on them and reminisce.

5. Don't stress and be happier. This is a main one, the last few months of last year were difficult to say the least and I found myself getting wound up over little things sometimes I don't particularly want to do anymore. I've told myself to relax more and not panic so much about university work and deadlines. To do this I'm going to give myself a kick up the backside, learn to prioritize and organise myself properly and more importantly ensure no all nighters are done the night before a deadlines due. This'll definitely reduce the amount of premature wrinkles I was bound to get and will allow be more hours in bed.

6. Who knows, I might even attempt to get my Drivers License.

There's something satisfying about starting a new calendar.

Have you made any New Year resolutions? Or any that you don't think you'll stick to? 

Thanks for reading, Jenny xo