10 Happy Things..

Since setting my New Years Resolution of being more positive, it started me thinking and researching about positive attitudes and how we often tend to focus on the negatives of life instead of the pleasures.  One of the consistent findings in research was the value of keeping a Gratitude Diary. Researchers have found that people who write down three things they're grateful for every night (or even a few times a week) improve their well-being and lower their risk of depression. So, this is where I have decided to keep my Gratitude Diary in the form of 10 Happy Things from the past week..

1. I headed back Home to the Isle of Man for five days for the first time in a year to see my family and friends. My Mum comes over to stay with me quite often but I hadn't seen my Nana and Grandad, my Brother and my Best Friend since I'd been over last March.

2. Coming from the Isle of Man and living in Thurrock in Essex, there isn't much greenery over here and I miss it, so it was so nice to be able to get out and about in the great outdoors. I walked my Nana's and Grandad's dog Toby quite often whilst I was over.

3. Myself and my Mum headed over to Liverpool for a day trip as she had an appointment to go to and we managed to fit in a bit of shopping and a spot of lunch. We just had to go to Gourmet Burger Kitchen, as it is my favourite restaurant in the whole wide world! 

4. Back in 2014 when I started my Blog, my Mum used to take a lot of my photos, now I have to try and win around my Boyfriend to take them for me! Whilst I was back home it was nice to have her taking my photos again and there were so many locations to choose from!

5. I managed to convince my Brother to join myself, my Mum and his Girlfriend to join us for tea and we went to one of our favourite Italian restaurants for my last night at home. It was so nice for us all to be together as a Family, I miss being able to spend time with them.

6. For my last day at Home, myself, my Mum and my Nana all went out for afternoon tea at a new tea house that had opened up called the Tea Junction. It was lovely inside and the food and tea was amazing, I loved it and will definitely be going again when I'm next over.

7. I returned home for the weekend to spend some time with my Boyfriend. With working in Retail, it's always nice if we get to spend a weekend together on the rare occasion. We stayed in with a takeaway, a film and snuggled up on the couch together in my new pyjamas.

8. We spent Sunday afternoon in Brentwood, which is one of my favourite towns to visit, having a Toby Carvery lunch and a few drinks with friends of ours. There is nothing quite like a nice Strawberry and Lime Rekorderlig, especially coming into Spring!

9. I returned home to this lovely package from Aesop, where I have ordered the Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Mask and the Control Gel to try and tackle my blemish-prone skin. I'm so excited to start using them and will publish a Blog post soon..

10. I've started thinking and researching into Mindfulness and recently ordered these adult colouring books by Johanna Basford. Awareness of ourselves and the world around us, sometimes called Mindfulness, can improve our mental wellbeing. I will be publishing a blog post soon, going into Mindfulness in more detail soon, so keep an eye out for it..

Adidas and Pink Bomber

Adidas Tee - Topshop
Bomber Jacket - Topshop
Joni Jeans - Topshop
Chelsea Boots - Topshop

I have purchased another Bomber Jacket, I just couldn't resist! I've been going for Autumn colours recently and as soon as I saw this Pink Satin Bomber Jacket in Topshop, I just had to have it. It's perfect for the transition into Spring with a softer colour palette and fabric. I find myself dressing down more than ever at the moment, reaching for a simple Tee and Jeans. So I just had to pick up this Adidas Tee in Topshop, along with the black version also! I love the sporty trend on the high street at the moment, it gives me an excuse to keep my outfits casual and it's so easy to wear.

As always I wanted to break the sporty vibe up and give this look a twist with a softer edge and I think the Bomber Jacket is perfect for this. I paired it with my latest favourite, my grey high waisted Joni Jeans from Topshop complete with rips in the knees as I love pink and grey together. I finished the look with my beloved black Chelsea Boots. I'm so looking forward to Spring and the start of if not slightly warmer weather so I am able to branch away from boots, even if it will be for a peep toe and cut out heel version which I currently have my eye on, in Topshop of course..

My Skin Care Routine

I started the year determined to take better care of myself. I hadn't had a skin care routine in years, I had fell into a rut of using face wash in the mornings and face wipes in the evenings and it showed. I stumbled across Caroline Hirons Blog and soon became obsessed with anything skin care related! After poring over her Blog and Cheat Sheets, I finally started to put together my own Skin Care Routine and I thought I'd share an update with you all.

I have normal/combination skin with some redness, dry patches and breakouts mainly around my chin area. I've started with the basics: pre-cleanser, cleanser, toner and moisturiser and I will then start to target specific problem areas as and when they arise, so I will probably do an updated routine in the near future, so keep an eye out for that. Here's what I am currently using in detail..

PRE-CLEANSER

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I use this as a pre-cleanser at the end of the day to remove my make up with cotton pads before I cleanse. After using face wipes for a couple of years now, I was amazed at how much the Micellar Water removes any trace of make up compared to the face wipe. The Micellar Water contains micelles which act like magnets gently lifting away make up and impurities from the skin without the need to rub or rinse. My skin feels so soothed and refreshed after using this and with having dry sensitive skin, I love that is is non-drying and non-irritating to my skin.

CLEANSER

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish

I had heard so many amazing reviews about this Cleanser so I was excited to try it. I apply the cream to dry skin to remove the last traces of my make up and then remove using a warm wet muslin cloth to gently dislodge dead skin cells. I finally splash my face with cool clean water and pat my face dry leaving my skin feeling clean and soft. I have found I actually really enjoy the ritual and look forward to washing my face as I start to wind down before bed. The active ingredients are rosemary, chamomile, eucalyptus and cocoa butter and I love the smell of these combined!

EXFOLIATING TONER

Pixi Glow Tonic

I found this Toner on Caroline's Blog and have read many amazing reviews about it since, so this was another skincare product I was excited to try. It's enriched with glycolic acid which gently exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal new skin cells underneath. Aloe then soothes and hydrates the skin, witch hazel firms and tones while horse chestnut boosts blood flow to grant your complexion a fresh dewy radiance. I apply a few drops to a cotton wool pad and sweep all over my skin morning and evening which leaves my skin feeling smooth, hydrated, firm and my complexion balanced.

MOISTURISER

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser

I have yet to find a favourite Moisturiser, so while I was looking at buying the Cleanse and Polish, I thought I would give it a go. Its rich in naturally actives including borage oil, avocado oils, natural antioxidants beta-caroetene and vitamin E to smooth, replace lost moisture and help protect against dryness. Once I have let the Toner sink into my skin, I massage this into my face and neck morning and night leaving my skin feeling soft, smooth and conditioned. When I am applying foundation and concealer, it now goes on smoothly without clinging to any dry patches.

Easter at Lush..

The Easter Collection has now launched in Lush Stores and I couldn't contain my excitement to see what they have released this year. I had to check out the Collection online before heading into my local store, shopping list in hand! This is my little round up of what I picked up..

First up is Bunch of Carrots, reusable Bubble Bars containing buchu, lemon and grapefruit oils. Hold one under the running water for refreshing tropical bathing, then pop it onto the side for next time. I love using a Bubble Bar along with a Bath Bomb for a really luxurious bath, and I have only ever tried the Magic Wand which is really sweet-scented, so I thought I would give these fresh scents a go! 

I'm a lover for a Bath Bomb, so I just had to pick up Humpty Dumpty, I mean who could resist? You crack open the sweet, caramel-scented, Brazilian orange oil Bath Bomb with notes of bright bergamot to reveal a hidden alter-ego, a fried egg! It was slightly more expensive than I'm used to with Lush Bath Bombs, but you can enjoy three egg-cellent soaks over a couple of nights, or if you like you can use the entire bath bomb all at once for real decadent bathing.

I've never tried a Bath Bomb Melt, so when I saw the Golden Egg, which takes me back to my childhood watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I just had to pick it up! Soak in a toffee-scented bath of molten gold and Fair Trade Colombian cocoa butter with uplifting bergamot and sweet wild orange oils. The outer layer is a Bath Melt and the inner a Bath Bomb, so you get the gorgeous fragrances along with the buttery skin softeners. I think I'll need another bath to get rid of the copious amounts of gold glitter though.. 

Lastly, Which Came First, another Bath Bomb similar to Humpty Dumpty. You crack the generously-sized pink egg open to coax out the chick inside. Again, it was slightly more expensive than I'm used to but you can enjoy three egg-cellent soaks over a couple of nights. Or for real decadent bathing you can use the entire Bath Bomb all at once to infuse your bath water with deliciously sweet, fuscia waters brimming over with fruity fragrance. You never know, it may answer the age-old question..

Wine Bomber and Rips

Long Sleeve Bodysuit - Pretty Little Thing

Eyelash Lace Bralet - Miss Pap

Bomber Jacket - Pretty Little Thing

Joni Jeans - Topshop

Chelsea Boots - Topshop

I seem to have a little obsession for Bomber Jackets at the moment, so when I saw this wine coloured number on my favourite website, Pretty Little Thing, it just had to go in my basket! I love the vibrant colour and the gold zip and button detailing. Its the perfect transitional piece, so I had to base this latest post around it. I wanted to keep the rest of the outfit quite muted to really allow the Jacket to stand out. I paired it with another item I picked up from Pretty Little Thing, which was this white long sleeved body suit with a deep plunged neckline, perfect for dressing up or down. 

I chose to style it with this black lace Bralet from Miss Pap, which gives you a bit of extra coverage for the daytime. I am planning to wear the Bodysuit on it's own in the evening to really show case the neckline and bare a little flesh! For this look I paired it with another pair of my favourite Jeans, the high waisted Joni Jeans from Topshop which I have in at least four other colours! I picked this gorgeous dark grey colour, again with rips in the knees. The Jeans really dress down the pretty lace and plunging neckline, keeping the outfit casual. I finished the look with my black Chelsea Boots.

Valentines Day at Lush..

Another Holiday, another Lush Collection and Valentines Day at Lush does not disappoint! I had to walk away with only five new products to add to my collection, but I seriously could have bought the lot! I am quite a slow starter with my love for Lush, but I am trying my hardest to catch up! I just ran out of my Christmas stash, so Valentines Day had it's perfect timing! 

First up is Lover Lamp, a Brazilian orange oil and vanilla bath bomb with fair trade organic cocoa butter hearts which will melt and coat your skin in moisture. I'm looking forward to trying this one as I haven't yet gotten around to trying one of their Bath Melts, so this will be a little taster. 

Secondly is Sex Bomb, a bath bomb with a fragrant blend of jasmine, ylang ylang and clary sage, jasmine which is used in aromatherapy to ease stress and anxiety, ylamg ylang which is renowned for soothing worries and clary sage which clears the mind. This is the one I am most looking forward to trying as I am having trouble sleeping at the moment and it sounds like it would be perfect to help soothe my mind before bed. 

I had to get some products that weren't bath bombs! So I picked up The Kiss, a lip scrub with a smoothing blend of fine sea salt, caster sugar, fair trade cocoa butter and a little almond and mandarin oil which softens the skin and leaves a delicious taste on the lips! I already have the Bubblegum lip scrub which I cannot live without, so I just had to have this with the edible hearts! 

Back to Bath Bombs! I picked up Tisty Tosty, based on a medieval love potion studded with several real rosebuds, it is scented with a captivating combination of floral orris root powder, rose and lemon. As it dissolves, you will fall in love with the scents of geranium, jasmine and rose oil which is used by aromatherapists to lift the spirits. This is the one I find most interesting being based on a love potion, so I just had to pick it up and I'm looking forward to the rosebuds floating around in my bath.

Finally, Unicorn Horn, a bubble bar with relaxing lavender oil and mood-brightening neroli oil, which increases serotonin levels in the brain which makes us feel content and cheery. I think this will be a perfect combination alongside Sex Bomb, I think I should have stocked up...

Burgundy Lace and Bows

Tie Front Crop Top - Pretty Little Thing

Eyelash Lace Bralet - Miss Guided

Joni Jeans - Topshop

Chelsea Boots - Topshop

Tote Bag - Michael Kors

Pretty Little Thing is currently my latest obsession! I can't believe I have only just found this website, with newness hitting down every day, my wish list just keeps getting longer and longer! One of my favourite pieces at the moment is this White Tie Front Crop Top, which is what I have based this look around. The top has a small inverted collar and is completely held together by the bow at the front, which you can tie yourself, so you can tie it to fit your own waist. You can style the bow the way you wish and the way that the ribbon drapes down is so elegant. 

The neck line is a deep V shape, so it cuts particularly low. You can wear the top alone and bare some flesh, or you can style it like I have with a Burgundy Lace Bralet just to give you that bit of extra coverage. Paired with some High Waisted Joni Jeans, it gives you just a small strip of skin under the top. I picked these coloured jeans to give the pretty, feminine bow and lace, a grunge twist, with a dark, dirty denim colour and rips within the knees. I finished the look with my Black Chelsea Boots. With the colder weather we are having at the moment, in keeping with the grunge twist, I often style this outfit with my Black Bomber Jacket, found here. 

New Year Resolutions

Its a New Year and I am setting my New Years Resolutions, with the first being to re-start blogging. I took the plunge to start blogging back in 2014 and I loved it, it gave me an outlet to be creative and I think the older you get, the less time you allow yourself to be creative. After a few months of blogging, I had the chance to move, which I took and life just got in the way over the next year. Now I am in a better place to have the time to go back to doing what I enjoy. I have already started planning my posts and the first one will be up next week!

The second is starting a Youtube channel, which is something I have wanted to do for a while now but which I have always put on the back burner due to a few reasons. One being the same as why I stopped blogging and another being that writing a blog is one thing, but recording a video is another! Over the past few months I have been watching my favourite Youtubers and have decided this is the year! I have already started planning my videos and I am ambitiously aiming to upload two videos a month to begin with! The first one will be up in a couple of weeks time!

The last three are more personal Resolutions, the first being more positive. I am a very positive person, but over the last few months I think I have just let life get on top of me and I want to get back to my usual self. I have been reading the Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan and it is so inspiring! I have already started my own Gratitude Diary where I write down three things I am grateful for every night. I am aiming to read other books and try other ideas, so I may share my journey with you on what I find within a monthly blog post or video.

The second is becoming more healthy, over the past year I have put on a bit of weight. I haven't been exercising and I have been making poor food choices. This year I am wanting to start going to the gym again and start eating healthier. I always struggle for ideas of what to eat and also what to do when in the gym, so I'm going to try the Lean in 15 book by the Body Coach. Which I have recently stumbled upon on Instagram and have read great reviews. I'm not one to give great advice on this topic, but I may carry out a review on his book and share with you anything else I try along the way.

The last is taking care of myself more, as I haven't been visiting the dentist or opticians for regular check ups, I've not even registered with a doctor since moving! So this year, as silly as it sounds is about going back to the basics in terms of healthcare. In terms of taking the time out to pamper myself I will be trying out different beauty products, electronics and having weekly pamper nights, so I am excited to share with you reviews, hauls and routines!