tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48269318903650212622024-03-13T00:54:38.604+00:00WHAT BECCA WROTErebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-79454743870017363222018-01-08T12:46:00.001+00:002018-01-08T12:48:18.141+00:0010 NON-FICTION BOOKS I WANT TO READ IN 2018<br />
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I'm back!<br />
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I can't say the last 6 months of my life have been easy, which is why I decided to take a step back from blogging for a while. But with the new year comes the inevitable desire to change things up a bit and as part of that, I've made a vow to myself that I'll dedicate more time to my blog in 2018. It's something I've really enjoyed doing in the past and I'm hoping that I can make it a more constant part of my life; I've always loved writing and blogging seems to be a natural thing for me to do, even if I'm the only one reading my posts!<br />
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I wanted to start off the year by talking about one of my favourite hobbies in the world: reading. I've been an avid reader since I was a child; there's not much I love more than getting stuck into a good book and losing myself in it for two or three hours at a time. As I've gotten older, reading non-fiction books has begun to interest me more and more and I've compiled a hefty looking list of ones I want to read. Here are 10 non-fiction books I'd like to read this year...<br />
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Last year I binge watched the Netflix Original series <b>#Girlboss</b>, based on how Sophia Amoruso came to set up Nasty Gal. I loved the series and subsequently realised that I actually had the book sitting on my shelf already. I think it's about time I get round to reading it; I have high hopes and I'm not entirely sure why I neglected reading it for so long!<br />
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Next up on the list is <b>Ice Cream for Breakfast</b> by Laura Jane Williams. After a less than average (read: pretty awful) 2017, I'm determined to make the coming year a good one. I saw some quotes from this book on Instagram the other day and instantly loved the positive message it puts across, so I ordered it immediately and can't wait to get stuck into it.<br />
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I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most organised person in the world when it comes to my personal space. Although I feel like I've taken more of a responsibility to tidy my space in the past few years, I want to take it a step further and learn exactly how to maintain this, because as they say, tidy house, tidy mind... enter <b>The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying</b> by Marie Kondo. Sounds great, I know?! My mum actually bought this for me as a bit of a joke a few years ago, which shows exactly how renowned my untidiness is. I've heard lots of good things about it, so here's hoping it'll turn me into some sort of domestic goddess overnight!<br />
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As well as being tidier, another of my goals this year is to take care of myself better, whether that's by eating a more balanced diet or exercising more often. I've always loved the idea of being able to go running, not only as a way of getting fitter but also to unleash any stress or anxiety. A few people have recommended <b>Running Like a Girl</b> by Alexandra Heminsley to me and I'm hoping that reading it will give me the motivation I need to finally start!<br />
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<b>When Breath Becomes Air </b>tells the story of Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Sadly, Kalanithi passed away while working on this book, but I'm interested to see how he dealt with switching roles from doctor to patient. I'm expecting this one to be incredibly emotional and moving and I have no doubt that I'll need a box of tissues at my side while reading it.<br />
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Another book that I've had on my shelf for god knows how long (do you see a running theme here?) is <b>Wild </b>by Cheryl Strayed. Note to self: in 2018, I must buy fewer books and actually read the ones I already have. This book gets mixed reviews, but I'm eager to read it for myself and see what I think, as its self-discovery theme really intrigues me.<br />
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Happiness: the elusive feeling that everybody craves but not everybody finds. <b>Happy </b>by Fearne Cotton is a book about 'finding joy in every day and letting go of perfect', which sounds absolutely great to me. Although I'm a huge fan of Fearne, it was the title of the book and its premise that gained my attention initially. I'm looking forward to reading this and seeing if I can implement any of the tips in the book in my daily life in an attempt to be a little bit happier in myself.<br />
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Finally, I'd like to talk about three mental health related books that I'd like to read this year. As someone who suffers from mental health issues, this is a topic that is very close to my heart. I think books about mental health are such an important help in the fight against stigmatisation. When you're struggling, it's sometimes difficult to imagine that anyone could possibly understand what you're going through; you feel trapped and it's sometimes difficult to talk about your feelings in case people react badly. I'd say that the stigma surrounding mental health issues is decreasing, but there's still a long way to go and I'm always worried that I'll open up to the wrong person. But the more people learn about mental health, the more likely they are to understand it and the more people learn that there are other people suffering similarly to themselves, the less likely these people are to feel alone.<br />
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<b>My Age of Anxiety </b>by Scott Stossel is a book that I started reading a while ago and whilst I really enjoyed it, I was going through a rough patch at the time and found the subject matter to be a bit too heavy. From what I remember, though, this book is a really insight into how anxiety manifests; Stossel combines his own experiences of suffering with anxiety with the fascinating science behind it. I'd love to be able to finish this book soon in the hope that it'll give me a further understanding of the way that anxiety works.<br />
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I'd be surprised if you haven't at least heard of <b>Reasons to Stay Alive </b>by Matt Haig, as I think it's such an important book to read, whether or not you suffer from mental health issues yourself. Nobody is untouchable when it comes to these issues, as anxiety and depression do not discriminate. Since I bought this book about 18 months ago, I've enjoyed flicking through it whenever I've needed a bit of motivation or reassurance that I'm not alone in my struggles. It's an emotive, open and honest book and I think it's about time that I sit down and read the whole thing.<br />
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Last but certainly not least is <b>Mad Girl </b>by Bryony Gordon. I think that books like Gordon's are great in that they remind you that you're not alone in your struggles and that there are other people - even famous people - who suffer in similar ways to you; Mad Girl is all about Gordon's own struggle with OCD and depression. I'm a huge fan of her pieces in The Telegraph and I'm hoping that her humour and wit come through in this book.<br />
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Will you be reading any of these books this year? Are there any other non-fiction books that you'd like to read? Leave me a comment below - I'm always looking for recommendations! X<br />
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<br />rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-70319574655420950452017-06-16T17:43:00.002+01:002017-06-16T17:43:58.770+01:00MISSGUIDED SUMMER DRESS EDITBeing the online shopping addict that I am, I've come across heaps of gorgeous dresses that are perfect for summer in the past few weeks and thought it would be a good idea to pick out my favourites for a post.<br />
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In the past I haven't been a huge fan of dresses, however I find that nowadays, the second that summer comes along, I go out and buy as many pretty - yet still comfortable - dresses as I can get my hands on. I've always found that Missguided is the best place to buy dresses; their website is very purse-friendly and I've always found my dresses from there to be of a high quality. Price is an important factor for me, as I don't like to spend too much on items that I will only be able to wear during a couple of months of the year. All of the dresses in this post are from Missguided and they are all £30 or under - links are included!<br />
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PURE AND SIMPLE</h2>
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If it weren't for the fact that I am notoriously clumsy when it comes to eating food, I would have so many more white dresses in my wardrobe; the thought of buying a pretty white dress only for it to be ruined by spilled pasta sauce or ketchup horrifies me. However, if you can control your eating (unlike me!), I think white dresses are perfect for the summer because they look amazing with a tan! The <a href="https://www.missguided.co.uk/white-tie-detail-scrunch-top-shift-dress-10045424" target="_blank">White Tie Detail Shift Dress</a> (£25) is gorgeous and I love the detailing on the sleeves of this <a href="https://www.missguided.co.uk/white-cheesecloth-crochet-bardot-dress-10046285" target="_blank">Cheesecloth Crochet Bardot Dress</a> (£30). </div>
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OFF THE SHOULDER</h2>
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Off the shoulder dresses and tops really seem to be having their moment right now. At first, I wasn't really sure how I felt about them, but I couldn't resist these two dresses. I think that both the Yellow <a href="https://www.missguided.co.uk/yellow-floral-print-tea-dress-10049868" target="_blank">Floral Print Tea Dress</a> and the <a href="https://www.missguided.co.uk/white-polka-dot-tea-dress-10049862" target="_blank">Polka Dot Tea Dress</a> (both £25) are unbelievably cute, especially with the ruffled detailing on the sleeves and around the neckline. </div>
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LADY IN RED</h2>
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I've never really been a fan of wearing red, but in recent months I've been warming to red garments and accessories more often - there's just something about this colour that screams summer to me! I'm also loving floral prints, so as soon as I saw these dresses I knew I had to include them in this post. I think that the lace-up front on the <a href="https://www.missguided.co.uk/red-lace-up-front-floral-skater-dress-10054759" target="_blank">Floral Skater Dress</a> (£25) adds an extra something and I absolutely love the ruffle hem on the <a href="https://www.missguided.co.uk/red-floral-ruffle-hem-mini-dress-10050408" target="_blank">Floral Mini Dress</a> (£28). </div>
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ALL ABOUT THE FRILLS</h2>
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You may have noticed that a common theme that runs through this post is frills. I think that ruffles in the right places can make clothes so flattering and think they add a pretty touch to dresses in particular. This <a href="https://www.missguided.co.uk/grey-stripe-ruffle-layer-bardot-swing-dress-10052807" target="_blank">Grey Stripe Bardot Dress</a> (£25) is ideal for whatever the occasion and I think the powder blue <a href="https://www.missguided.co.uk/blue-cami-strap-frill-tea-dress-10052700" target="_blank">Cami Tea Dress</a> (£22) would look lovely against a fresh tan.</div>
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Where is your favourite place to buy pretty summer dresses? Let me know in the comments x</div>
rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-75173262937199216862017-06-12T12:30:00.000+01:002017-06-13T13:03:13.283+01:00WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT YOUNG VOTERSWhen I woke up on Friday 9th June to early reports that the voting turnout in 18-24 year-olds had risen to around 72%, up from 43% in the last General Election, I could not have felt more proud. To have so many young people interested in politics and looking for change made me happy to be a part of this demographic, no matter who these people voted for.<br />
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However, I feel that since then, this pride and happiness has been overshadowed by something else. The nasty, sour comments from some individuals (and I say *some* because I don't want to tar everyone with the same brush - I know most of you are decent people!) in the older generation who think it's okay to berate and belittle young voters for their choices. <br />
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I'm 19 years old and Thursday was my first opportunity to vote in a UK General Election. Much like in the EU referendum, I placed my vote with pride and I felt truly honoured to be in a position where I was able to vote for the future of my country, unlike the millions of people across the world who can't.<br />
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Ever since the election results began to trickle in, I have seen so many people saying on social media that young voters were 'bribed' by the supposedly false and impossible promise of the abolition of tuition fees. I urge these individuals to consider the fact that not every young person goes to university and that a large amount of voters in the 18-24 year-old category will have already been and left, meaning that this change wouldn't affect them. I might go to university in the future, I might not; no tuition fees sounds amazing, but at this moment in time, it does not personally affect me. If I choose to go to university, I will go whether I end up with £27,750 of debt or not - and yes, to all those out there who were privileged enough to go to university before fees were introduced, that is how much 3 years of tuition fees will cost, not to mention maintenance loans.<br />
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We were not bribed. We were not naive. We were not 'blinded by lies'. Quite frankly, I think anyone over a certain age who claims these things should be downright ashamed of themselves. To think that you can take the moral high ground because of your age is insulting and, rather ironically, very immature. You may have more 'worldly experience', of course, but that does not take away from the fact that the vast majority of young people are much more intelligent than you may believe. I think anyone making these statements wildly underestimates the autonomy of young people and their ability to make decisions for themselves.<br />
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No, I was not bribed. I knew who I was going to vote for without influence from anyone or anything, whether that was my parents, my friends or the media; nothing was going to swing my vote as far as I was concerned. I looked at the policies, I watched the debates, I witnessed the campaigns, I read the manifestos. I made my decision and I voted based on what I thought was right for our country.<br />
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I voted for hope in this world of doom and gloom. I voted for change. I voted for the NHS, for public services. I voted for the young, the old and everyone in between. I voted for excellent education for all, no matter their income. I voted for those in poverty. I voted for the disabled and those with mental health issues. And let's not forget the awful, shocking stories you hear of people dying either directly or indirectly as a result of welfare reforms. The list goes on, and on, and on. If you read this and think that it's nothing to do with you, that it's not your problem, then that's on your conscience and speaks volumes about you as a person. But my hope is that most decent people would read this and agree wholeheartedly.<br />
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I am not bashing anyone who voted differently to me; that was not the point of this post. The point of this post is that we must get rid of the hateful rhetoric that young people are less worthy and less capable. We are, after all, the future of this country. We do, after all, live in a democracy. I don't know whether it's down to pure bitterness or trying to hide the realisation that young people - who are LEGALLY eligible to vote, may I add - can really make a difference, but either way, it's simply unacceptable. In the past, young people have been ridiculed for not voting and now, we're being ridiculed for voting "wrongly". It's a classic case of damned if you do, damned if you don't.<br />
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Why alienate young people? Why patronise them and disrespect their personal views? It is not okay for anyone to say that older people don't deserve the right to vote because it 'isn't their future', so why has it suddenly become okay for people to do the same directed at young people, despite it actually being their future at stake? All I can say is that it truly baffles me; hypocrisy at it's absolute finest.<br />
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I want to end this on a positive note, because despite all of this, I am still so proud of my generation for turning up in their masses and voting for what they felt was right. I truly hope that this momentum and interest in politics continues; who knows, maybe the turnout will be even higher in the next election... whenever that may be!<br />
<br />rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-41684801426141572632017-06-03T20:49:00.002+01:002017-06-13T13:03:27.578+01:00BIRCHBOX: FIRST IMPRESSIONS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Beauty subscription services are something that have been around for a while now, with Birchbox being one of the most well known. The only subscription service I've had before is Love Me Beauty, which I subscribed to for about 3-4 months at the end of last year. I loved the idea of getting credits each month and being able to pick out my own products from a fairly wide range. Within a few months, however, I became disenchanted with the whole experience; you knew exactly what was coming your way, which takes away from the excitement of it a bit in my eyes, not to mention that there was a constant repetition of products. A quick glance at their website confirms that 6 months after I cancelled my subscription, around 20% of the products available remain the same. This experience kind of put me off the whole idea of a beauty subscription box. However, after seeing a post on Facebook advertising that if you signed up to Birchbox, you would get two boxes for the price of one, I was intrigued to give it a go.<br />
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With this offer, I paid £12.95 for two boxes including postage, which I think is an excellent deal if you fancy trying the service out, even if you decided to cancel it afterwards. As part of the deal, I received April's box as well as May's.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April's Birchbox</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May's Birchbox</td></tr>
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When I received my package, I was quite surprised by how small it was as I had expected the boxes to be bigger. However, what they lack in size, they both definitely make up for in terms of design. Both boxes are absolutely lovely and sturdy enough to use as storage if you wanted to do so.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The contents of April's Birchbox</td></tr>
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April's box was in collaboration with the online brand Boden. There are 5 products in both boxes and the range of products seems to be pretty good, with this box containing a hair product, a skincare product, a body lotion and two make-up items. The first product inside is the <a href="https://www.birchbox.co.uk/shop/luseta-beauty-keratin-smooth-conditioner" target="_blank">Luseta Beauty Keratin Smooth Conditioner</a>, which claims to help strengthen hair, lock in moisture and boost elasticity. As I have fine hair that tends to get quite frizzy, I really like the sound of this product and it smells great. This 40ml tube retails at £5, with the full sized 500ml version retailing at £19.<br />
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Next up is the <a href="https://www.birchbox.co.uk/shop/polaar-icepure-gentle-scrub-arctic-cotton" target="_blank">Polaar IcePure Gentle Scrub with Arctic Cotton</a>. This is probably the product that I like the look of the most from this box; Arctic cotton is known for its moisturising properties and the scrub claims to soften the skin as well as exfoliate. The scent is really nice and I can tell just from putting a bit on the back of my hand that it's not an abrasive, harsh exfoliator. The full-sized 75ml version is £23.50 and this sample size is 25ml, which I think is quite generous. The other skincare item that you'll find in the April Birchbox is the <a href="https://www.birchbox.co.uk/shop/baija-paris-creme-moana-fleur-de-tiare" target="_blank">Baïja Paris Crème Moana</a> in the Fleur de Tiarè scent. In all honesty, this is probably my least favourite item in the box, which is a shame as I had high hopes. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous and the lotion itself does have a really nice consistency, however I find that the floral scent is far too overpowering for me - I sneezed when I opened it! However, I think it's lovely if floral scents are your thing. Again, it's a generous sample size at 30ml, as the full-sized 70ml tube retails for £15.90.<br />
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The last two items in the box are both full-sized beauty items, with the first being the <a href="https://www.birchbox.co.uk/shop/modelco-eye-define-crayon-liner" target="_blank">ModelCo Eye Define Crayon Liner</a>. Along with the face scrub, I'd say that this is my other favourite product in the box; it's a twist up eyeliner which saves the hassle of constantly having to sharpen it. It has a really fine nib which makes it perfect for really precise lines and from testing it on my hand, it glides on really easily. I can't say anything about the longevity, but I'm hoping it'll be a nice product to add to my collection. The final product in the shop is the <a href="https://www.birchbox.co.uk/shop/manna-kadar-cosmetics-radiance-split-pan-bronzer-highlighter-duo" target="_blank">Manna Kadar Cosmetics Radiance Split Pan Bronzer and Highlighter Duo</a>, which is a product exclusive to Birchbox. To be honest, I thought this was an eyeshadow duo until I read the leaflet, as the compact seems far too small to be a bronzer and highlighter. The bronzer is so gold-toned and shimmery that I would never put it anywhere near my cheekbones, although I will say that I think the highlighter is lovely if you're looking for more of a subtle glow. This duo costs £17, which is really expensive in my opinion, especially considering the packaging is really cheap looking, not to mention difficult to open!<br />
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Much like the previous month's box, the May Birchbox contains a hair product, a skincare product, a body lotion and two make-up items; obviously I can't comment for sure, but I think this may be the standard Birchbox formula. The hair product included is the <a href="https://www.birchbox.co.uk/shop/beauty-protector-protect-volume" target="_blank">Beauty Protector Protect and Volume</a>, which is a spray that 'increases volume without stickiness', adds 'beautiful shine without weight' and 'creates soft, smooth, full texture'. I'm not usually a big fan of haircare products like this as I find that they weigh my fine hair down, however I must admit I really like the sound of this one. It can also be used as a thermal protector for heat styling and is both Vegan and free from parabens. The packaging doesn't actually state how much product it contains, however the full-sized version contains 236ml and retails for £18.50.<br />
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My favourite item in this box is without a doubt the Doux Me Pure Spring Mist. I am a huge fan of these sprays as a way of cooling down your skin in the hot summer months; I love the Avène version and carried it around with me constantly last summer. What interests me about the Doux Me one in particular, however, is the fact that it also says that you can set your make-up with it for a dewy look. I can't wait to try it out and see if it works in this way! There are tonnes of negative reviews on the Birchbox website asking why they are giving away what is essentially water in a can; of course, it is a luxury, however I can attest that these sorts of products are highly refreshing and so, so handy when you're out and about. Unfortunately I can't seem to find it anywhere online, however if you want to check out the Avène one which I have tried, tested and loved, you can find it <a href="http://www.escentual.com/pp-1762/" target="_blank">here</a>. The other skincare item in the box is the <a href="https://www.birchbox.co.uk/shop/whish-rice-milk-firming-body-cream" target="_blank">Whish Rice Milk Firming Body Cream</a>. Apparently, it 'smoothes blemishes' as well as firming and moisturising... I'm a little bit dubious about this claim! I've tried it on and in all honesty, I don't really like it. It leaves an odd feeling, tacky film on my skin and I'm not keen on the scent. The full-size version is £27, which seems incredibly pricey for a brand I've never heard of! I think I'm going to stick to my cheap and cheerful Garnier body lotions thanks...<br />
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Next is a sample size of the <a href="https://www.birchbox.co.uk/shop/doucce-punk-volumizer-mascara" target="_blank">Doucce Punk Volumizer Mascara</a>, which is another Birchbox exclusive; I have tried this item out and I have to say that I really like it. It has a huge wand, which initially put me off, however it's easy to use and it adds both volume and length to my lashes. I've had it on for a while now and there has been no smudging either, which is always a bonus. Also, it's a pretty decent size for a sample. The full-sized version costs £18. The last item was the <a href="https://www.birchbox.co.uk/shop/marsk-mineral-eyeshadow-vanilla-frosting" target="_blank">Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow</a> in Vanilla Frosting. This item is full-sized with an RRP of £14.49. I would comment on the product itself, however the packaging is incredibly fiddly and I haven't actually been able to prise it open yet - I'm scared of pulling too hard and ending up with a white, shimmery mess everywhere! One thing I hate about mineral products like this is that they're simply not very practical, especially when you're as clumsy as I am! However, the colour does look really pretty and like it could be a good inner corner/brownbone highlight.<br />
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All in all, I'm not quite sure about how I feel. It goes without saying that the boxes are really good value for money if you're a beauty junkie and like trying out new things from a whole host of brands. I think that beauty subscription services like Birchbox are a great way to do this. I'm torn because I love trying new products, but I can't help but feel a little bit disappointed by the products included - there are probably 3 products that I won't use and only a couple that I really love. I think I'd enjoy it more if some items from more well-known brands were included as well, as the only brand I had heard of was ModelCo! However, I am sure that Birchbox carefully pick the items that they put in these boxes and obviously not everything in each box is going to work for every subscriber.<br />
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Do you subscribe to Birchbox/another beauty subscription service - what do you think of them? Have you tried any of the products mentioned in this post? Let me know in the comments below! X</div>
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<br />rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-81645934938321201912017-06-02T18:43:00.002+01:002017-06-13T13:03:41.203+01:00MAY FAVOURITESMay was a bit of a busy one for me, but enjoyable all the same! It was my birthday month and it was lovely to celebrate with my friends and family. The UK was also blessed with a spot of beautiful weather (over now obviously!) which was well needed; there's nothing quite like spending a day relaxing outside with a cold drink in one hand and a good book in the other!<br />
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My first few favourites from the month of May are beauty related. The <a href="http://www.boots.com/bourjois-healthy-mix-foundation-10226173" target="_blank">Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation</a> is something I've been using for probably a few months now, but in May I really discovered how much I love it! It feels lightweight on your face, which means it's perfect for the summer months, and it provides light to medium coverage. The only downside is that the shade range is quite limited, but if you can get your hands on a shade that matches your skin then I would definitely recommend it!<br />
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I've also been loving the <a href="http://www.superdrug.com/Skin/Body-Care/Gradual-Tan/Bondi-Sands-Everyday---Gradual-tanning-milk-375ml/p/396900" target="_blank">Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk</a>. I've always been a bit scared (read: terrified) by the thought of fake tan all thanks to an incident when I was at high school and applied it only to wake up resembling an oompa loompa the next day. When I think of fake tan, I think of a horrible, orange, streaky mess. However, this gradual tan from Bondi Sands has changed my mind completely. It's incredibly easy to use as you use it exactly how you would use a moisturiser - I apply it all over my body after I have exfoliated in the shower and the job's done. It looks very natural and develops quickly for a gradual tan; I can apply it to clean skin at night and then wake up the next morning looking all bronzed up!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RBWRyScn_4M/WTGi9OT3KRI/AAAAAAAAAuo/C_b784u6zc4ziwIRTKJK8BO2cPqWCUhggCLcB/s1600/brush.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RBWRyScn_4M/WTGi9OT3KRI/AAAAAAAAAuo/C_b784u6zc4ziwIRTKJK8BO2cPqWCUhggCLcB/s200/brush.png" width="200" /></a>I don't always use bronzer, but because I've been applying fake tan more regularly, I've definitely needed it to make sure my face and the rest of my body match. I've used the NARS Laguna Bronzer religiously for years, but I recently stumbled upon the <a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/angled-contour-brush/p/p22459468?prevPage=plp&pdpredirect" target="_blank">Look Good Feel Better Angled Contour Brush</a> to apply it with and I love it. Look Good Feel Better is a charity that supports women and teenagers with cancer and for every brush/set you buy, an 8-12% donation will be made. All of the brushes are allergy free, cruelty free and incredibly soft! This brush is perfect for contouring and applying bronzer and it definitely rivals some of my more expensive brushes in terms of quality.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQv26zh0Alc/WTGjECWRTZI/AAAAAAAAAus/e-pJLIbTgwQZLx4-g53xPr_s1DTke4-kACEw/s1600/primer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1170" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQv26zh0Alc/WTGjECWRTZI/AAAAAAAAAus/e-pJLIbTgwQZLx4-g53xPr_s1DTke4-kACEw/s200/primer.jpg" width="200" /></a>Again, the <a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_154614109499_-1" target="_blank">Too Faced Hangover Primer</a> is something that I've been using for a few months now, but since I've not written about it on my blog yet, I thought that it deserved an honourable mention. My skin is classed as combination, as I have an oily t-zone but incredibly dry and dehydrated patches around my eyebrows, nose and cheeks. I find that this primer is perfect for my skin, as it doesn't add to the oiliness yet it still hydrates the dry patches, providing a smooth, even base for my make-up. It smells amazing and soaks into your skin very quickly. It's on the pricier end of the scale, however I've had mine for nearly 4 months now and it's still going strong despite using it each time I do my make-up.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajcA01rgIgQ/WTGjOtS4VpI/AAAAAAAAAuw/0BXFRCzFYY4c0M3fBakaKDsV4ParoVXUgCLcB/s1600/girlboss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1500" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajcA01rgIgQ/WTGjOtS4VpI/AAAAAAAAAuw/0BXFRCzFYY4c0M3fBakaKDsV4ParoVXUgCLcB/s320/girlboss.jpg" width="320" /></a>Moving onto my non-beauty favourites from May, the first is the Netflix series 'Girlboss', which tells the story of Sophia Amoruso's struggle and success in setting up Nasty Gal. Nowadays, I find it difficult to sit down and watch a series, however this one had me addicted from beginning to end. It was really interesting to watch something where the protagonist is actually represented as being quite selfish and unlikeable, yet I still found myself rooting for her throughout! Another season, please, Netflix!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.lucismorsels.com/2014/07/homemade-pico-de-gallo.html/" target="_blank">Luci's Morsels</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://pinchofyum.com/cinnamon-sugar-apple-cake" target="_blank">Pinch of Yum</a></td></tr>
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A few posts ago, I talked about my 123 Goals (read <a href="http://whatbeccawrote.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/my-weekly-123-goals.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I have to admit that I don't know how well this system has worked as I don't think there has been a single week since where I have achieved all 3 goals! I have, however, been whipping things up in the kitchen more often. I've really enjoyed cooking and trying out new recipes and I've come across a few really delicious ones that I wanted to mention. The first is an incredibly sinful yet divine <a href="http://pinchofyum.com/cinnamon-sugar-apple-cake" target="_blank">Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake</a>; this recipe makes A LOT of cake, yet all of it was gone within a few days! I've also been loving <a href="http://www.lucismorsels.com/2014/07/homemade-pico-de-gallo.html/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes" target="_blank">this</a> Pico de Gallo recipe; it's amazing to have with a Mexican meal such as fajitas or burritos, but just as good as a dip with some salted crisps. When I made it, I added slightly less garlic (I am a fan of garlic usually but 5 cloves seemed excessive), less lime juice and swapped the cilantro out for coriander and it tasted great.<br />
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My final two favourites from the month of May are both book related. You might not know this, but I am a complete bookworm; if I'm not busy, you'll probably find me curled up somewhere with a book in hand. I've been known to read books in entire sittings, from beginning to end with no breaks. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thousand-Splendid-Suns-Khaled-Hosseini-ebook/dp/B002R88G5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496424407&sr=8-1&keywords=a+thousand+splendid+suns" target="_blank">A Thousand Splendid Suns</a> by Khaled Hosseini is a book that I didn't read in a single sitting, only because it was so intense and so beautifully written that I almost didn't want it to end. It tells the story of two different women, Mariam and Laila, living in Kabul, Afghanistan in the late 20th century. I didn't know much about Afghanistan before reading this book, but I was truly fascinated by the way that Hosseini painted the country with his words; he did this so well that it was incredibly easy to conjure up the images in my head and it was almost as if I was there enduring the terror with Mariam and Laila. It was a very moving novel and I'm sure it will stay with me for a long time.<br />
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Last but not least is a website that I've been using a lot during the past few weeks. <a href="https://www.worldofbooks.com/" target="_blank">World of Books</a> is home to over 2 million second-hand books, most of which are around £2.59 and with free delivery to the UK. Because I get through books so quickly, it seems silly to buy books at full price, so I was so happy to discover this website! I bought 7 books and with a 10% discount (using the code WORLDOFBOOKS10) they totalled just under £18. They all arrived within a week and most were in excellent condition despite being second-hand. I'd really recommend it to anyone looking for some new books to read - A Thousand Splendid Suns is currently on there for £2.59! You can thank me later...<br />
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So, there we have it, my May favourites. I'm sorry that my posting has been a bit here and there; to be quite honest with you, it's almost like I forget that I have a blog sometimes and then all of a sudden I remember and have the urge to write a whole post in one sitting!<br />
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Do you have any favourites from the month of May? I'd love to know what they are - leave me a comment below! X</div>
<br />rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-8602223888516652442017-05-20T17:18:00.001+01:002017-05-20T17:18:58.725+01:00SONGS FOR WINDING DOWN<div style="text-align: center;">
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It goes without saying that I'm a huge music lover, so it only felt right that this had some place on my blog. I spend far too much time scrolling Spotify and creating playlists! </div>
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The playlist below is one of my favourites at the moment; it's perfect for the end of the day when you just need some relaxation time. </div>
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I hope you enjoy this playlist as much as I do! Let me know what your favourites are and whether you have any tracks you think would fit in well with this playlist. Xx</div>
rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-3710575046817725782017-05-19T21:14:00.000+01:002018-01-08T12:48:08.710+00:00THE EMBROIDERY EDIT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Unless you've been living under a rock for the past month or so, you'll probably have noticed that shops have been taken over by rails upon rails of beautiful embroidered garments and accessories. Is this a bad thing? Definitely not in my eyes! I'm yet to invest in any embroidered pieces but wanted to put together a post sharing my favourite embroidered clothes, shoes and accessories from a range of different shops. So, if you're a fellow fan of embroidery in fashion, then carry on reading...</div>
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1) <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/jeans/skinny/mid-rise-jeans-with-floral-embroidery-c400017p4445583.html" target="_blank">Mid-rise jeans with floral embroidery</a> - £29.99</div>
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2) <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/trending-now/embroidered-plumetis-blouse-c821005p4353023.html" target="_blank">Embroidered plumetis blouse</a> - £29.99</div>
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3) <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/jumpsuits/embroidered-jumpsuit-dress-c399001p4540010.html" target="_blank">Embroidered jumpsuit dress</a>- £29.99</div>
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4) <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/bags/crossbody-bags/embroidered-clutch-c358021p4738502.html" target="_blank">Embroidered clutch</a>- £29.99</div>
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5) <a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/tops/view-all/top-with-embroidered-yoke-c719021p4596507.html" target="_blank">Top with embroidered yoke </a>- £19.99</div>
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1) <a href="http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/embroidered-poplin-bardot-dress-6434934?bi=0&ps=20&Ntt=embroidered%20bardot" target="_blank">Embroidered poplin bardot dress</a> - £29<br />
2) <a href="http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/moto-flower-embroidered-denim-mom-shorts-6473279?bi=0&ps=20&Ntt=embroidered%20shorts" target="_blank">Flower embroidered denim mom shorts</a> - £34<br />
3) <a href="http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/moto-tulip-embroidered-pinafore-dress-6433601?bi=0&ps=20&Ntt=embroidered%20pinafore" target="_blank">Tulip embroidered pinafore dress</a> - £45<br />
4) <a href="http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/bags-accessories-1702216/hats-463/floral-embroidered-cap-6300092?bi=20&ps=20" target="_blank">Floral embroidered cap</a> - £18<br />
5) <a href="http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/shoes-430/sugar-embroidered-slippers-6601699?bi=0&ps=20" target="_blank">Embroidered slippers</a> - £26<br />
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1) <a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/petite/petite-black-gingham-floral-embroidered-smock-dress_520705209?productFind=search" target="_blank">Gingham floral embroidered smock dress</a> - £29.99<br />
2) <a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/tops/blue-gingham-floral-embroidered-bardot-neck-top-_524172249?productFind=search" target="_blank">Gingham embroidered bardot neck top</a> - £22.99<br />
3) F<a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/anita-and-green-black-floral-embroidered-cold-shoulder-dress_538343809?productFind=search" target="_blank">loral embroidered cold shoulder dress</a> - £24.99<br />
4) S<a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-boots/black-suedette-floral-embroidered-western-boots_526543001?isRecent=true" target="_blank">uedette embroidered western boots</a> - £34.99<br />
5) <a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/skirts/black-floral-embroidered-a-line-mini-skirt_517588601?productFind=search" target="_blank">Embroidered a-line mini skirt</a> - £24.99<br />
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1) <a href="http://shop.mango.com/GB/p0/woman/clothing/skirts/midi/flower-embroidered-striped-skirt?id=83087603_52&n=1&s=search" target="_blank">Flower embroidered striped skirt</a> - £35.99</div>
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2) <a href="http://shop.mango.com/GB/p0/woman/clothing/jackets/biker-jackets/embroidered-denim-jacket?id=83077008_TO&n=1&s=search" target="_blank">Embroidered denim jacket</a> - £59.99</div>
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3) <a href="http://shop.mango.com/GB/p0/woman/clothing/dresses/long/embroidered-mesh-dress?id=83090275_99&n=1&s=search" target="_blank">Embroidered mesh dress</a> - £99.99</div>
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4) <a href="http://shop.mango.com/GB/p0/woman/clothing/shorts/embroidered-denim-short?id=83055588_TC&n=1&s=search" target="_blank">Embroidered denim shorts</a> - £29.99</div>
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Embroidery is such a love it or hate it thing, so I'd love to know what you think about it! Xx</div>
<br />rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-26309575560201664592017-04-23T16:08:00.000+01:002017-05-16T18:26:33.667+01:00MY WEEKLY 123 GOALSOn Thursday, the day finally came around to leave France after spending a lovely 3 weeks with my boyfriend. It was so difficult, especially considering that I won't be able to see him again until July.<br />
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As you can probably imagine, it's always a really emotional time for me, but I always try to put a positive spin on things by giving myself new goals to work towards in the time that we're apart. For me, having something to work towards is a massive motivator and I find that without this, I feel very lost and almost as if I have no purpose.<br />
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On my flight home I was thinking of simple goals that I could set myself each week that would improve both my physical and mental health. Enter 123 Goals: I have no idea if this is already an existing thing, but if it is I haven't ever heard of anything like it before. It basically means that I'm going to set myself three different activities that I will do once, twice or three times a week. I'm hoping that this will be a manageable way for me to try new things without getting too overwhelmed.<br />
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Here are the three goals that I've set myself for each week...<br />
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<b>1) POST A BLOG POST ONCE A WEEK:</b><br />
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This is something that I probably shouldn't have to set as a 'goal' and that I should already be doing considering how much I love blogging. However, I often find it difficult to actually sit down and write an entire blog post; it's not that I don't enjoy it, but sometimes I simply don't feel very inspired, plus I find it very difficult to take photographs that I'm actually happy with. I want to change this though, starting off by making sure that I post at least one blog post a week - if I manage to post any more than that then it's a bonus, but I think a goal of one a week is enough for now!<br />
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<b>2) COOK A MEAL TWICE A WEEK:</b><br />
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You could say that still living at home is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because it means that I usually just eat whatever my mum is cooking, which is a real time saver for me. However, it also means that I'm limited in what I eat, thanks to my fussy younger siblings! I've always enjoyed spending time in the kitchen and find great joy through whipping up a tasty salad or a delicious batch of brownies, but because I eat whatever my mum is cooking, I rarely actually cook myself. I'd love to start branching out and trying new things, which is why I've decided to try and cook a meal for myself or my family at least twice a week.<br />
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<b>3) EXERCISE THREE TIMES A WEEK:</b><br />
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I have a love-hate relationship with exercise in that I love the idea of it but hate actually doing it. I danced up until I was about 16 and this was something that I adored, but since I stopped I've barely exercised at all. I'm lucky that I have a naturally high metabolism, but I know that this won't last forever. Also, it's no secret that exercise can not only have a positive impact on your physical health but also your mental health. I can definitely see why people use running as an outlet for their energy and although I'm as unfit as anything as I type this, I'm really determined to start going running regularly, particularly after watching the London Marathon this afternoon and being so inspired by all of the normal people taking on this seemingly impossible task - well, to me it is!<br />
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So, there we have it, my 123 Goals. Will it work out for me? Only time will tell, but I'll try to keep you updated. I don't think I'm going to be the next Nigella Lawson or that I'll be running a marathon by this time next week by any means, but it's the trying that counts, right?<br />
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I'd be really interested to know what you think of this concept - will you set yourself any similar goals?rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-65830159991459202762017-03-28T18:14:00.001+01:002017-05-20T16:36:12.173+01:009 BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT I'LL ALWAYS REPURCHASE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a rather large collection of make-up and other beauty items, but sadly a lot of it doesn't get used very often as I tend to stick to the same items on a day-to-day basis. Because of this, there's a lot of products that I have grown to love and that I feel I'm ever so slightly attached to - here are 9 beauty products that I'll always repurchase...<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Homeoplasmine-40g-artists-secret-weapon-x/dp/B00G8F4Y08" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Homeoplasmine</span></a> - various prices<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Considering how long this product has been raved about for, it's taken me a long time to jump on the bandwagon, but I'm so glad I finally did! Homeoplasmine is a simple, multi-purpose balm found in French pharmacies. Personally, I use it as a lip balm - I love how much it hydrates and moisturises my lips. Although I usually apply it before lipstick and pat it down to mattify it, I love the glossy look it has when I wear it on its own; whenever I have a no make-up day, I always put on a bit of Homeoplasmine just to make my face appear a bit less two-dimensional. I believe you can get it online in the UK, but if you find yourself over the other side of the channel anytime soon then I'd recommend you buy it there as it's cheap as chips.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.escentual.com/larocheposay066/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (+)</span></a> - on offer for £13.15 at time of posting<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I first started using this product as part of my everyday skincare routine around four years ago and I haven't looked back. I have never suffered with acne per se, but my skin has always been somewhat problematic and spot-prone. I use mine before moisturiser and it helps to keep pesky spots at bay. La Roche Posay as a brand is great - they have a lot of different ranges, so whatever yo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">ur skin concern, you're bound to find a product that will work for you.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.boots.com/garnier-micellar-cleansing-water-400ml-10169115" target="_blank">Garnier Micellar Water</a></span> - on offer for £3.33 at time of posting<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Confession: I've always been embarrassingly lazy when it comes to removing my make-up. It's something I view as a chore when I really should look forward to letting my skin breathe after a day of being covered in make-up. This is why I love micellar waters; I can put some on a cotton pad, swipe it over my face and remove the bulk of my make-up before cleansing my face (goodbye mascara-induced panda eyes!). When I can afford it, I like to buy Bioderma, but to be honest the Garnier Micellar Waters are equally as effective. I use the original one, however I believe that there are now a few types available, each one aimed at a different skin type.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123901017299_-1" target="_blank">Benefit They're Real Tinted Mascara Primer</a> </span> - £19.50<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Last but not least is this wonderful mascara primer from Benefit. I know what you're thinking - a mascara primer?! Where is the need? I thought the same, however after receiving a sample of it with a magazine I was converted completely. I always apply it before mascara to make my short, stubby lashes appear even longer, but my favourite way to wear it is simply on its own. The colour of it is very similar to my lashes, which means that my lashes are lengthened without it looking unnatural.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123443956999_-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil</span></a> - £13<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Although I am a huge fan of a classic blue-red lip, 95% of the time I gravitate towards a nude lip. Whatever nude I decide to wear, I usually apply my trusty Boldly Bare lipliner from MAC beforehand. It's a very close match for my natural lip colour, therefore it is good for overlining my lips and making them appear fuller.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIoEbzn8UK4/WNqbPNynMFI/AAAAAAAAAqY/qgH27j1oAWw--vSzDI9CLiMjs5jtBzrNACLcB/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIoEbzn8UK4/WNqbPNynMFI/AAAAAAAAAqY/qgH27j1oAWw--vSzDI9CLiMjs5jtBzrNACLcB/s400/blog2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123555301599_-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Bobbi Brown Corrector (Light Bisque)</span></a> - £19.50<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I'm on my third pot of the Bobbi Brown Corrector now and I couldn't imagine applying my make-up without it. Unfortunately, I have awful dark circles under my eyes (thanks Mum!), so applying a corrector to cancel out the darkness before I put on concealer is essential. Mine is in the shade 'Light Bisque'; since there are so many shades on offer, I would recommend going to your nearest counter to get a colour match suitable for your skin tone.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_121620007899?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=7755659&placmp=SSH_2361363232_297768381_18491905461&mkwid=sSgq7qQYl%7Cpcrid%7C79169362941%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cpdv%7Cc%7Cprd%7C7755659&gclid=CKWO3KK8-dICFaMK0wodPxoIsw&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Kiehl's Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit Body Cleanser</span></a> - £18<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> I never thought I'd pay £18 for what is essentially a glorified shower gel, but here I am on my 3rd bottle! I do think the price is extortionate, but I justify it as it smells divine, leaves your skin velvety soft and lasts a long time. The smell is fresh and citrusy with a hint of sweetness and like nothing I've ever smelled before. Sadly, I have just visited the Kiehl's website and it seems that they aren't stocking it anymore (*cries*). It's still available at Debenhams, but low in stock... so maybe I won't be repurchasing this after all! If you can bring yourself to spend £18 on this, I would tell you to treat yo'self - before it's gone forever!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://www.boots.com/soap-and-glory-archery-2-in-1-brow-filling-pencil-and-brush-10181408" target="_blank">Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil</a> </span>- £8<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Out of all of the products I have written about in this post, the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil is probably my favourite. I wouldn't be able to count on one hand the amount of times I've bought it and since I discovered it around 18 months ago, I haven't used anything else on my brows. The only reason it's not pictured is because I've used it so much that all of the writing has rubbed off and it does not look pretty. I've used the Anastasia Brow Wiz in the past and for me, the S&G pencil is an exact dupe, if not slightly better. What's more, it's only £8! If you buy anything recommended in this blog post, let it be this.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.boots.com/maybelline-eyestudio-color-tattoo-24hr-cream-gel-eyeshadow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creamy Beige</span> </a> - £4.99<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I've been a fan of the Maybelline Colour Tattoos for a good few years now, but the shade 'Creamy Beige' is a more recent discovery of mine, and boy am I glad I found it! If you haven't tried these eyeshadows, they're a creamy, long-lasting formula and there is a wide range of shades available. This one is a pale pinky nude that I actually use as an eyeshadow primer; it provides a good base for eye make-up by cancelling out the veins on my eyelids.</span><br />
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So, there we have it! If I were to think long and hard about it, there are probably plenty more products like the ones mentioned in this post, so let me know if you'd like to see another post containing more products that I always repurchase. Also, I'd love to know what products you personally repurchase all the time- tell me in the comments!<br />
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<br />rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-49418305751697102362017-03-26T23:24:00.001+01:002017-05-16T18:27:58.048+01:00LOSING MOMENTUM AND GAINING INSPIRATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dear Reader, I have a terrible confession to make. I forgot I had a blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I ended 2016 and began this year with so much determination in regards to my blog; I wanted to make it stand out, something meaningful that people could read and take things away from. More importantly, though, I wanted it to be a place where I could be unapologetically myself. I wanted to be able to ramble and ruminate and write about whatever was on my mind, whether discussing a favourite lipstick or sharing some of my deepest thoughts. These were all things I wanted to do, but life hit me square in the face and I found myself up to my eyeballs with anxiety and self-doubt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Honesty, I felt like a failure for not having the positive start to the year that I had imagined for myself. Instead of feeling good about the year ahead, all of a sudden I felt very stressed and anxious about the amazing opportunities I had lined up. I realised that I was truly terrified to get back into studying and really didn't see how I was going to have the confidence to do this. Money was a huge worry for me, as I had decided to give up working for the 2.5 months that I would be at college. After spending the loveliest few weeks with my boyfriend over the festive period, he had to go home to France and it was back to the reality of a long distance relationship. I felt lonely and isolated; I realised that having worked full-time September-December 2016, I really burned myself out and didn't have a lot of time to see my friends at all. All of these thoughts and feelings were weighing me down so much that it became overwhelming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In hindsight, I know that most of this may seem trivial, but to me the combination of these things felt like the end of the world. I didn't know what to do with myself. I think the turning point came when I realised that I hadn't left the house in five days (!!!) and that something needed to be done, fast. And so, I did what I do best: I made a list. I wrote down all of the things that were worrying me and thought of ways that I could resolve these problems. It's such a simple thing to do, but my years of CBT told me that it would work, and it did! Part of me knew that my anxieties surrounding my new course were only natural and that it was an amazing opportunity for me. I thought of ways to earn and save my money so that this wouldn't be so much of a concern for me. I booked a flight to France so that I knew exactly when I would next be able to see my boyfriend. Finally, I called a close friend who I hadn't seen/spoke to in 6+ months and we had a 1.5 hour long chat, which made me feel so much better about everything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Again, you're probably wondering why I didn't think about these things in the first place - oh, how I wish that had been the case! I'm a worrier, an over-thinker. The worst possible outcome in a situation will usually come to mind before the best possible outcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Since then, I've had ups and downs but I finally feel like I'm inspired again and I've achieved a hell of a lot too. After 10 gruelling weeks of long days, late nights and the occasional breakdown, I'm now a qualified English language teacher. Although it was hard work, I've met some lovely people and had some amazing experiences. I've also gained so much confidence in my own ability. Standing in front of a classroom full of teens/adults and delivering an English lesson isn't as scary as I thought - it's actually so much fun and immensely rewarding!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Studying aside, another achievement so far this year is the fact I've read. I know you're probably sat there thinking 'Reading isn't an achievement' and a few years ago, I would've thought the same, but after going through a really bad time mental health wise, I lost all the will and concentration I had to read. It's taken me a long time to regain this, but I'm finally becoming the bookworm I once was. So far this year, I've managed to read 11 books (in the whole of last year I only read 7, one of which was compulsory for my French course at college!) and I have no plans to stop anytime soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">So, in all, I'm finding everything a whole lot easier. Of course, it's not all plain sailing; I still have my down days, of course, and on these days nothing I can do or say to myself can help. However, I'm so proud of how I've turned things around in such a short space of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Before this post gets too rambly, (...who am I kidding, you've probably stopped reading by now. If you haven't, congratulations! Also, do you have nothing better to do?) I'll say one more thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dearest blog, I vow to never forget about you ever again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Main image courtesy of my lovely namesake Rebecca of <a href="http://www.fromroses.co.uk/" target="_blank">From Roses</a>. Her blog is one of the very few I read religiously and her photography is amazing!</i></span>rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-68795916039399996112016-12-31T17:13:00.000+00:002017-05-20T16:37:34.818+01:00GOODBYE 2016, HELLO 2017<div style="line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">I</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">'ve seen a lot of these types of posts and I love reading them myself, so I decided it was about time I did a bit of my own reflecting on 2016.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">It’s odd to look back on this year, as whilst it was probably one of the worst years of my life, it was also without a doubt the best. I struggled a lot with my health during the first 6 months of the year and I really was at my lowest point. However, things really started to pick up later in the year and it’s been an amazing year for me for so many reasons. I wanted to write a short (read: probably quite long) post about the things I’m really proud about and also touch on what I hope 2017 will be like for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">The first achievement I want to touch on is travel related. Whilst I love visiting new places, anyone with anxiety will know how much stressful situations, such as travelling, can trigger feelings of intense panic and uneasiness. Just last year, I couldn’t even take a bus by myself without worrying, let alone a flight. The hustle and bustle of an airport can be overwhelming for just about anyone, so multiply that by about 10 and you will probably get what an anxiety sufferer feels in this situation. However, I’m incredibly proud to be able to say that this year I successfully managed 11 flights, 6 of which were on my own; this is honestly a feat that I really didn’t think I would ever be able to achieve, nor did I imagine I would have spent enough time to total a whole month away from my family. I’m so glad I took this step though, as it allowed me to visit France for the first time and meet my boyfriend’s lovely family and friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">I’m also very proud of myself for being able to finish Sixth Form with 3 A-Levels. This is by no stretch of the imagination a unique achievement, but it didn’t seem right to write a post about my greatest achievements of 2016 without including gaining my A-Levels. Of course, this is by no means an easy thing to achieve, but doing so during the midst of a tricky patch made it immensely difficult. My chosen subjects were all essay based and required a lot of time and effort, both of which did not come easily when I was at my very lowest; it’s difficult to describe if you’ve never experienced it yourself, but my mind felt too fogged up to even do simple, usually enjoyable tasks like watching TV or reading, and the only place I felt truly comfortable was in my bed. There were so many days where I would break down completely before leaving the house and I sometimes didn’t even have the strength to leave at all - a quick email to my teachers to explain (which is never easy), with a promise that I would study at home, was often the best I could do. I would advise that staying healthy, both physically and mentally, is always more important than your studies, however I’m so proud that I was able to find balance in the end and finish college with 3 A-Levels. I would also say that it’s so important to surround yourself with people who will support you no matter what, whether this is a family member, a friend, a teacher, a partner, a doctor - just someone who you feel comfortable enough with to discuss how you’re feeling. I can definitely say that having a caring family, boyfriend and circle of friends did me the world of good throughout this time.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Linking in with this, applying to university was a really daunting process for me and I </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">imagine it is for many other people too. There were two courses that I was interested in (both completely different) and in the end, I applied for French & Spanish. I was given offers from all four universities that I applied to, with my top choice being Lancaster University. After gaining a conditional place there, I was offered an interview and in May 2016, my original place was made into an unconditional one. Whilst I ultimately decided that this course and university as a whole wasn’t quite right for me at the time, I’m so glad that I did apply and I’m very proud that I was given an unconditional offer. I also think that my gap year has been really beneficial to me so far and I hope it continues that way! Whilst education is obviously important, university is not the be all and end all; I’d really advise anyone going through the application process to not rush into anything they’re unsure about, as there are so many alternative routes available nowadays, not to mention the fact that you can go to university at any point in your life!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Finally, I’m especially proud of myself for getting a new job. After deciding to take my gap year, I wanted to find a position that would give me some business experience. I applied for several different roles and a few interviews later, I was offered a business administration apprenticeship at the head office of a national company. I had enjoyed my previous job, yet going to work was always something that triggered lots of anxiety for me, therefore working 37.5 hours a week was a massive thing for me. I was so nervous and apprehensive before I started, worrying about whether I would fit in at my new workplace and whether I would be anxious whilst I was there. As a matter of fact, my new job still made me anxious, however I was able to get through this. Although I decided that this role ultimately wasn’t right for me and that I wanted to move on to other things, I loved the three months I spent there. I’m glad I didn’t give in to the initial anxiety of starting a new job, as it was great to gain some real business experience and work alongside a lovely group of people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">As for next year, I’m very excited at the prospect of making lots of new memories. Now that I seem to mastered the whole being away from home idea, I’d love to be able to travel further afield - Dublin, Prague and Paris are definitely high up on my list! I’d also love to spend more quality time with my family and friends; in the past, I’ve been guilty of cancelling plans at the last minute or not even making them in the first place as a result of my anxiety, but in the coming year I’m determined to change this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">In addition to this, over the course of this year, I’ve learned that caring for your is incredibly important, which is why I want to dedicate next year (and hopefully many more to come) to practicing a lot more self care. I can’t wait to spend my year eating food that will really nourish my body, taking more care of my skin and going on walks more often, although this list is truly never-ending. Also, my mental health issues earlier this year seemed to dampen the creative, curious side of my personality considerably, as during this time, my brain just felt too fogged up to do anything requiring a higher degree of concentration. Now that I’m feeling a lot better, I’d love to be able to use my spare time in 2017 to the fullest and reawaken that part of me. Here’s to a year of dodgy DIY attempts and time spent trying to perfect my knowledge of the French language (possibly a bit ambitious, but I’m going with it)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">I know the whole idea of ‘new year, new me’ is very overused, but for me, I find a new date equals a fresh start and a chance to better myself. 2016 wasn’t a good year for many people and so many awful events occurred, which only made me realise further that I want to live my life to the fullest, work hard and take on any challenges that are thrown my way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">I hope that everyone has had a lovely festive period and wish you all the best for the New Year! Do you have any goals/resolutions? </span></div>
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rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-83171061199257756252016-11-12T17:37:00.001+00:002017-05-16T18:29:12.977+01:00CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: GIFTS UNDER £15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As someone who spends far much time scouring the lengths of the internet to find the best possible Christmas gifts every year, I've come across lots of lovely present ideas, therefore I thought it was only right that I shared them with the rest of you! In this post, I've included some of my favourite gifts under £15 - I will probably write a separate post for all things beauty related, as there's far too many to put into this post! I've organised them by shop and included all the prices and links... Happy Christmas shopping!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.next.co.uk/go32532s1#945773" target="_blank">Jade Velvet Make Up Bag, £12</a> - velvet, such a gorgeous shade of green and a massive fluffy pom-pom - what's not to like?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="http://www.next.co.uk/g644184s4#737086" target="_blank">Black Pom Pom Ballet Slippers, £12</a> - these are currently sitting in my Next shopping basket and I will be placing my order very shortly... again, massive fluffy pom-poms!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. <a href="http://www.next.co.uk/g545250s1#393354" target="_blank">Alphabet Filled Scented Candle, £4</a> - such a lovely, affordable gift that smells absolutely divine. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;">ASOS:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.asos.com/monki/monki-metallic-card-holder/prd/7336383?iid=7336383&clr=Pink&SearchQuery=&cid=16559&pgesize=36&pge=2&totalstyles=1222&gridsize=3&gridrow=7&gridcolumn=1" target="_blank">Monki Metallic Card Holder, £5</a> - I love this card holder an it is a real bargain for just £5.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-christmas-fairisle-hot-water-bottle-and-socks-set/prd/6703502?iid=6703502&clr=Multi&cid=16559&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=1222&gridsize=3&gridrow=7&gridcolumn=3" target="_blank">Fairisle Hot Water Bottle and Socks Set, £14</a> - such a cute set to make you cosy and warm on those chilly winter nights!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. <a href="http://www.asos.com/ohh-deer/ohh-deer-leaf-print-2017-diary/prd/6715618?iid=6715618&clr=Multi&SearchQuery=&cid=16559&pgesize=36&pge=6&totalstyles=1215&gridsize=3&gridrow=8&gridcolumn=2" target="_blank">Ohh Deer Leaf Print 2017 Diary, £12</a> - a perfect gift for the stationery aficionado in your life (you have one, we've all got one). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4. <a href="http://www.asos.com/oasis/oasis-faux-fur-pom-detail-beanie/prd/7215781?iid=7215781&clr=Grey&SearchQuery=&cid=16559&pgesize=36&pge=4&totalstyles=1215&gridsize=3&gridrow=7&gridcolumn=3" target="_blank">Oasis Faux Fur Pom Detail Beanie, £12</a> - I definitely may have gone OTT on the pom pom theme, but I'm sticking with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">5. <a href="http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-christmas-cactus-ankle-socks/prd/7179417?iid=7179417&clr=Pink&cid=16559&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=1222&gridsize=3&gridrow=7&gridcolumn=2" target="_blank">Christmas Cactus Ankle Socks, £3.50</a> - cacti + Santa hats = <3</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">6. <a href="http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-curved-foldover-clutch-bag/prd/6863497?iid=6863497&clr=Black&SearchQuery=&cid=16559&pgesize=36&pge=1&totalstyles=1222&gridsize=3&gridrow=12&gridcolumn=2" target="_blank">Curved Foldover Clutch Bag, £15</a> - Okay, so strictly speaking, this isn't under £15, but it's such good value that I couldn't resist! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.forever21.com/UK/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&category=acc_hair-accessories&productid=1000230395" target="_blank">Velvet Bow-Front Headwrap, £3.00</a> - I know I would definitely be very happy if I got this in my stocking this year!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="http://www.forever21.com/UK/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=promo-holiday-shop-stuffers&ProductID=1000215244&VariantID=" target="_blank">Leopard Print Coin Purse, £4.50</a> - if you know someone who, like me, is forever finding loose change at the bottom of their bag, then this would be the perfect gift!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. <a href="http://www.forever21.com/UK/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=app-main&ProductID=2000191249&VariantID=" target="_blank">V-Cut Back Jumper, £13</a> - the detailing on the back of this jumper makes it so unique and the rust colour is absolutely gorgeous.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;">NEW LOOK:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/home/grey-knitted-penguin-microwaveable-bean-bag_390276303" target="_blank">Grey Knitted Penguin Microwaveable Bean Bag, £10.99</a> - a cute little friend to keep you warm when the whether outside is frightful...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/nightwear/red-check-oversized-pyjama-shirt_389341769" target="_blank">Red Check Oversized Pyjama Shirt, £14.99</a> - I love anything checked print like this and think this pyjama shirt is such a lovely gift.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. <a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/home/transparent-mason-jar-light_389647810" target="_blank">Transparent Mason Jar Light, £9.99</a> - granted, this is the type of thing that you could probably make yourself for much cheaper, however buying it is much easier, right?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0417006001.html" target="_blank">Lace Balconette Bra, £7.99</a> - I couldn't believe it when I saw this on H&M at only £7.99... now, if only if they catered for those above a C cup *sobs*.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0359909015.html" target="_blank">Woven Scarf, £12.99</a> - I have a bit of a thing for scarves and have been looking for a plain grey one for a while now - this one fits the bill perfectly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0457527002.html" target="_blank">4-Pack Rings, £3.99</a> - these rings are so cute an affordable that I couldn't leave them out of this post! A perfect stocking filler.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4.<a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0413595002.html" target="_blank"> Pompom Hat - £7.99</a> - okay, the pompom theme definitely isn't stopping. Like scarves, I love cute bobble hats for the winter and the colour of this one is gorgeous. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-size: large;">NOT ON THE HIGH STREET:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/bloomboutique/product/chloe-initial-star-personalised-bracelet" target="_blank">Chloe Initial Star Personalised Bracelet, £14</a> - a lovely little gift for anyone who is a fan of the more minimal look when it comes to jewellery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/xoxo/product/personalised-dictionary-definition-mug" target="_blank">Personalised Dictionary Definition Mug, £14.50</a> - I recently personalised and bought one of these mugs for a friend's birthday and she hasn't stopped using it since; it is a really thoughtful gift that anyone you're buying presents for this year is sure to love and use to death!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/alphabetbags/product/pixie-dust-glitter-pouch" target="_blank">'Pixie Dust' Glitter Pouch, £12</a> - if you're anything like me, your make-up collection isn't going to fit in this, but I think it's so cute to keep things in your bag organised. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4. <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/oakdenedesigns/product/personalised-metal-polaroid-print" target="_blank">Personalised Metal Polaroid Print, £12.75</a> - you can't go wrong with photos as a gift and I think this metal polaroid is a really special, personal gift. </span><br />
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Have you come across anything this year that you've really had to resist buying for yourself? Let me know in the comments!rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-38667644827209791542016-06-25T10:57:00.002+01:002017-05-16T18:29:25.297+01:00MY TOP TIPS FOR STAYING ON TOP OF THINGS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After having endured two rather gruelling years of Sixth Form, the main thing I have lifted from my experience is that staying organised is so, so important. I'm not claiming to be the perfect role model when it comes to this, as throughout my years of education I was notorious for leaving work until the very last minute or sometimes, not doing it at all (very rebellious, I know). However, now that I have finished my studies, I feel that I can sit back and look at all the good things I did to stay on top of my work as opposed to all the things I didn't do and give you some tips that could perhaps help you too, whether this is in your studies, your work or your daily life.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">1) WRITE LISTS:</span></b><br />
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Personally, I think the key to staying on top of things lies in the use of lists. My family and friends have often made fun of me for my listing habits, as write them almost compulsively, whether it's a list of tasks I need to complete around the house, blog posts to write or even a list of my favourite ever scenes from 'The Office US' (yes, this has really happened). However, I used to write lists containing 10+ tasks that I needed to complete, which only lead to feelings of failure and guilt when I inevitably ended the day with only half of the boxes ticked.<br />
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When undergoing counselling earlier in the year, staying organised was something I brought up with my therapist, as I was struggling to cope with my college workload. She very wisely suggested trying to write lists only containing 4-5 tasks instead, with each task lasting no longer than an hour. This massively increases the likelihood of you completing all of the things on your daily 'To Do List', as you have a much smaller number of tasks to focus on!<br />
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<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">2) HAVE A CLEAR ORGANISATIONAL SYSTEM:</span></b><br />
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I will admit that, as a naturally messy person, this was something I always struggled with. During my years at Sixth Form, my approach to storing my work basically involved having a pile of paper in my bedroom that eventually resembled a small skyscraper.<br />
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However, like I said, now my studies are over, I think I might have FINALLY got the knack of organising my work. Personally, I find that the best way to do this is using ring binders; one for each subject, with a divider between each subtopic. This way, it is much easier to transport all of your work, as well as reducing the time it takes to find a particular document.<br />
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If you're looking for nice, colourful binders which won't look to boring when stored, I would really recommend checking out Tesco, W H Smith and Paperchase.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">3) CREATE YOUR OWN SCHEDULE:</span></b><br />
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For me, having a loose schedule to follow is essential when trying to stay on top of your workload. When I say loose schedule, I mean something that basically outlines your plans and goals for the day/week/month without going into too much detail; for example, when revising for my A-Levels, I scheduled revising one Psychology topic every day, which left it up to me to choose which one I would complete. I found that this approach made my workload seem a lot less daunting and that I also didn't feel as bad if I didn't exactly achieve all of my goals for the day, as I could easily move them to another day without too much fuss.<br />
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As I preferred to create my schedules on a monthly basis, I simply found a printable calendar whilst browsing Pinterest, printed out the pages I needed and filled them in according to what I would do each day. In order to make it easier to distinguish between tasks, I used one colour for college related tasks and another for any other personal tasks. If you want to see the calendar I used, <a href="http://www.smallpaperthings.com/free-printable-calendar-2016-weekly-planner-printables/" target="_blank">click here</a>.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">4) TAKE A BREAK:</span></b><br />
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I know that when the great feeling of achieving your goals and completing your tasks for the day, it can sometimes be difficult to stop. However, it is so important that you take a break every once in a while! It has been scientifically proven that the brain can't focus on anything intently for more than about 20 minutes, but personally I found that 25 minutes was more accurate for me. Therefore, I think that it's a really important to stick to this rule, as it's likely that after this amount of time you will lose concentration anyway and won't be able to do anything else until your brain has had a chance to rest and recharge a little.<br />
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The best method I found was setting a 25 minute timer on my phone and working without any distractions for this amount of time. When the timer was up, I would set a 5 minute timer and have a small break. In this time, it might be a good idea to go and get yourself a glass of water, as it's necessary to stay hydrated in order to be able to concentrate. I also advise avoiding social media during this break; as difficult as this may be, I know that 5 minutes scrolling on Twitter can easily turn into much longer!<br />
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<br />rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-15359492056223736982016-06-24T16:15:00.004+01:002017-05-16T18:29:40.448+01:00REVIEW: ZOEVA NUDE SPECTRUM PALETTE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>LETS TALK ABOUT NEUTRAL PALETTES, BABY...</b><br />
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As an avid fan of the trusty old neutral eyeshadow palette, I know how difficult it can be to find 'The One'. I don't think that- up until last week- I've ever personally owned a palette where I have liked/used every single colour. The problem with this is that I end up mixing and matching eyeshadows from different palettes on a daily basis, which is all well and good when I'm at home, but not always possible when travelling. For me, this defeats the whole point of a palette, which should be both compact and practical in my eyes (no pun intended).<br />
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In addition, it seems that the quality of the eyeshadows within palettes can vary massively from one shadow to the next. My Urban Decay Naked 3 palette immediately springs to mind- the shade 'Dust' is, quite appropriately, very dusty and crumbly in texture, compared to the much more pigmented, buttery smooth shades like 'Burnout' and 'Liar'.<br />
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However, enter my new favourite palette: the beautiful Zoeva Nude Spectrum Palette<br />
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<b>THE SHADES...</b></div>
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I can wholeheartedly say that there isn't a single colour in this palette that I wouldn't use and the array of shades is really like nothing I have ever seen before in a palette. Out of the 15 shadows in the palette, 5 of these are matte and they include a highlight, a black and 3 very different crease colours. The remaining shades all have a shimmery finish and are equally as lovely; from a bright white highlight and a lovely chocolate brown to a deep rust and a gorgeous pure gold, this palette is like a dream come true for my fellow neutral eyeshadow fans. In my honest opinion, the Zoeva Nude Spectrum Palette really does offer the best range of shades when compared with others out there of its kind.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: ND020 (deep chocolate brown with shimmer), ND080 (brown with a hint of purple with shimmer), ND090 (deep rust with shimmer), ND140 (bright white highlight with shimmer) and ND110 (champagne with shimmer). </td></tr>
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As you can probably tell, I'm not the best of swatches, but here are my 5 favourite shades from the palette, which are all coincidentally shimmery (I'm a sucker for a bit of sparkle, okay?).<br />
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<b>THE QUALITY:</b><br />
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Despite the incredible range of shades offered by this palette, I would probably say that my favourite thing about it is the immense quality of each and every eyeshadow. They are all extremely pigmented, buttery smooth and easy to blend, which makes application an absolute dream.<br />
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<b>THE PACKAGING:</b><br />
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Like I said, one of the main attractions of a palette is its compact size; after all, who wants to carry round at least 10 different individual shadows in their make up bag (guilty as charged). This palette definitely ticks the packaging box for me. It is very slim, light and the rubberised texture of the packaging is very reminiscent of NARS products, making it feel much more of a high end product- in fact, if it wasn't for the price tag, I would think it was one! Which leads me on to my final positive...<br />
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<b>THE VALUE FOR MONEY:</b><br />
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This palette is fantastic value for money when you consider that Beauty Bay are currently selling this item for just £23.50 - that's less than £1.60 per 1.5g shadow! On the other hand, the RRP of the Naked palettes is £38.50 each for 12 1.3g shadows, which works out at around £3.20 per shadow, not to mention the fact that they are smaller.<br />
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<b>THE FINAL VERDICT...</b><br />
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I think it's pretty clear already that I love this product. It is, in my opinion, far superior to others of its kind, both in terms of the shades and the quality. Furthermore, I don't think you can really go wrong at £1.60 per shadow! Whether you're a make-up novice or a professional, I would definitely recommend getting your hands on this palette ASAP.</div>
rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4826931890365021262.post-24386328833659177582015-08-10T21:59:00.001+01:002017-05-16T18:29:51.927+01:00EVERYDAY SKINCARE ROUTINE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a fairly long time since I've sat down and written a blog post and I find that the details of how exactly to form an introduction have dissipated into thin air. So, without further ado, here is my current everyday skincare routine...<br />
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<b>Step 1 - Take Off That Face: </b>As you can see, I have two options for this step; both are equally as effective, yet I decide which one based purely on how much effort I want to put in. The <b>Garnier PureActive Micellar Cleansing Water </b>is a good option when I don't have much time (or energy) as I simply pour a little bit onto a cotton pad (usually <b>Muji's Dual Purpose Cotton Pads - </b>if <i>anyone </i>is interested) and wipe. Or... if I want to add a whole extra minute or so (really not too bad... but I'm lazy, okay?) onto my routine, I'll use <b>The Body Shop's Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter</b>. This is a great, effective product for use on any skin type- and it's bank account friendly, which is always a plus!<br />
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<b>Step 2 - The Second Cleanse: </b>Next, I like to use another cleansing product so that my face feels squeaky clean, as well as to ensure that any traces of make-up miraculously left behind are gone (you know how mischievous mascara can be...). I've tried many a cleanser over the years, but the <b>First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser </b>is by far my favourite. It's unscented, soothing on the skin and just leaves your skin feeling unbelievably clean. I usually apply this to ever so slightly damp skin and then wipe it off using a damp muslin cloth, as splashing my face with water and potentially getting it in my eyes (me no likey) gets a big no from me.<br />
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<b>Step 3 - Tone It Up: </b>I steered clear of toners for a long time after using an alcohol based toner from Clinique when I was about 11- it just did nothing for my skin, apart from aggravate it. So, toner waters are my current compromise: still with the effects of a toner, but refreshing - not harsh - on the skin. At the moment, I'm using the <b>Eau Roma Water Toner Water </b>from <b>LUSH</b> and I really like it; it does exactly what it does on the bottle. I've used the tea tree version in the past, which I also loved. You can spritz it straight onto the face, which is what I usually do for the pure convenience of it, or apply using a cotton pad - whatever takes your fancy.</div>
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<b>Step 4 - Treat Yo' Skin: </b>And now, my favourite step of all. My beloved <b>La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (+)</b>. Oh, if I could successfully profess my love for this product. I cannot speak highly enough of it! It's been there for me over the years, in good times and in bad times (skin wise obvs) and has always sorted me out whenever my skin started getting problematic. Also: I don't know why, but I adore the scent too. It's nothing special, but it brings me so much comfort... Ahhhh *raises glass*, to you, my old friend.</div>
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<b>Step 5 - Hydration! Moisture!: </b>Two very important things when it comes to my skin, which is actually very confusing since I consider my skin to be combination/oily. I actually get horribly dry patches (sorry if TMI) around my nose and eyebrows and if I don't sort them out then my foundation clings on to them for dear life. Now, think about the difficulty of explaining that skin type at a department store counter! Anyway, there's not much to say about this dynamic duo: the <b>Origins GinZing Moisturiser </b>and <b>Eye Cream </b>work well and smell good; basically, they tick all the boxes.<br />
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So, there we have it - I made my way through a whole blog post in one go! Here's to many more from now on.rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11200330754016281197noreply@blogger.com0