A letter to my fourteen year old self.

Don't stress about being tall. The boys in school may call you 'lanky' and a 'giant' but before long people will be longing for longer pins! You'll get used to it - I promise. (plus your height comes in handy when you lose your friends in a club).

Make the most of your perfectly clear skin. It won't last - it's just luring you into a false sense of security. Start cleansing now.

Go to the dentist and ask for braces. They will never offer you them and when you reach the age of 24 you'll be seriously considering forking out almost £4,000 on them. Make the most of free dental treatment on the NHS while you still can!

You have a great body. Don't binge on rubbish foods - you'll regret it when you reach your twenties!!

Log off MSN once in a while. Go outside with your friends (if you can lure them away from their desktop computer that is...). Ask mammy for some pocket money (make the most of the pocket money. Spending money on sweets isn't half as fun when you earn it yourself), get a 'Run Around' bus ticket and go down the Mumbles or something.

Don't worry about being the only single one out of your friends. Make the most of being free. You're too young to be dating anyway. You'll fall in love at 19... That's only 5 years away. You can wait - be patient.

When you do experience 'heartbreak' - you'll get over it. When you're older, you'll look back and laugh. (Remember this when you're 24. You'll experience real heartbreak. You'll feel lost and inconsolable. Life is not over. You'll grieve for a while but that's normal. You'll be OK in the end. I promise you).

Don't stress. You'll end up going to College and University. You study Psychology. University will be bitter-sweet. It will be both the best and worst time of your life. One of your flatmates in the Halls of Residence where you'll live will be horrid. You'll be sad. You'll get over it. You'll fall ill and spend most of your second year in hospital appointments - but you'll be fine - it's just Pernicious Anaemia. You'll meet one of the most important people in your life, but you'll also lose two of the most important*. Make the most of your graduation day - you deserve it. Mammy will cry - she's proud on behalf of herself and daddy.

*Spend as much time as possible with Bampa and Nana Freda. Speak Welsh to bampa - he loves it. Stop being a moody teenager and treasure your time with them. You'll miss them when they're gone.

You'll never stop missing Daddy, but it gets easier.

Stop arguing with Mammy and Darren. Appreciate them and everything they do for you. You're very lucky... Spoiled rotten in fact. Stop moaning about the things you don't have and be grateful for the things you do have. You always have the best of everything.

Your little sister Carys won't always be annoying. There'll come a time when she won't be so little and she will be your best friend. Let her borrow your makeup - because one day you'll need to borrow hers too!! Ps.. You'll have another sister soon - Abigail. Mammy hasn't told you yet, but she's pregnant. 

You'll move away at 23. Only four and a half hours away. You won't like it and you'll be sad. It only lasts 6 months. It all gets too much and you move home. While you're there, embrace it and make the most of it.

Don't worry that you don't know what you want to be when you're older. You still won't at 24. It don't matter.

Your family love you. You may not see it, but you're constantly surrounded by people who cherish you. Show them how much you love them too.

Give Pebbles, Cloe, Suki and Sophie a cwtch. You'll miss them when you're gone.. Although the majority of them live until their twenties.

School will be the best years of your life. Yes, mammy says it all of the time. Yes, you think it's annoying. But yes, it's true. Trust me, in a couple of years you'd your right arm to go back. Sitting in a science lab watching Mr Thomas create chemical reactions trumps sitting in an awfully lit office, answering the telephone all day.... Even running around a track when it's -2 degrees outside trumps what they call 'The Real World'. Make the most of it. Listen to your teachers in your lessons instead of drawing pretty patterns on your weekly planner - specifically in Science. You'll end up resitting. Concentrate more on the reactions themselves rather than how beautiful Mr Thomas is. You'll thank me for it I promise. Nobody likes staying behind for a Science GCSE resit class in College on a Wednesday afternoon when everyone else gets half-day.

Have fun. Cry. Laugh. Obsess over silly boys. Make friends. Lose friends (it's a part of life). Enjoy.

Ps... Remember, some of the best times of your life haven't even happened yet. I can vouch for that. ♥

Pps... Don't wear whatever it is you're considering wearing today. I can almost guarantee that your outfit is horrendous.

Ppps... Stop ironing your hair. NOW.

Autumnal Lips

I'm absolutely loving bold lips at the moment, particularly deep reds, berries and purples.
I've got a selection of textures, tones and finishes - from completely matte to shimmery glitter.

I've picked four of my absolute favourites which I have accumulated over the past year. They are all under £10, therefore super affordable.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - 477 Black Cherry.
A gorgeous deep burgundy/ purple colour which is mostly opaque but leaves a slight sheen. It's easily applied straight from the bullet but requires a good lip liner and a steady hand. It's very dark and therefore a good choice for when you're feeling brave. Probably not for you if you're not sure that dark colours are your thing.

Collection - Gothic Glam - 1 Seduction.
A beautiful deep red colour. It applies well - I press it into my lips first to stain the lips and then add one coat straight from the bullet. It's not dramatic enough not to wear it day-to-day but dramatic enough to add a statement to your lovely Autumn outfit. A fab choice for those of you who may just be beginning to venture into the world of gothic, vampy lipsticks. (I'm pretty sure these are only about £3 too - BARGAIN!)

Maybelline New York - 338 Midnight Plum.
A shimmery, sparkly violet colour. The colour reminds me of my childhood - was my absolute favourite. Almost everything I owned was this colour; my walls, clothes, shoes, nails, eyeshadow - EVERYTHING. When I saw it, I had to have it. Despite being bright purple and sparkly, it isn't too dramatic. Go buy it - NOW!

Topshop Lips - Beguiled.
This is a statement lip colour in my makeup bag, Autumn, Winter, Summer, Spring... No matter what the season, this lipstick makes an appearance. I've repurchased a few times. It is so wearable and really creates a statement. It has a thick consistency with a very subtle sheen. It's a happy medium between the Collection Gothic Glam and the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick.

Hello, 2013.

Happy New Year, guys!

I hope you all enjoyed your New Year celebrations, whatever you did. Mine consisted of lots of food, alcohol and laughs at Gregs' house. I have never been the biggest fan of New Years but with everyone else excited, who am I to say no to a celebratory shin-dig. 

The beginning of a New Year is the perfect time to reflect on the previous year. A year that was full of ups and downs. A year that was full of stress and relief. 2012 began with me and Greg splitting up for a month in January which was an obvious low, we worked through our differences though and sorted things in the February. In the March I booked a Holiday to Ayia Napa with the girls. April must have been one of the most stressful months of my entire life. On April 27th my dissertation was due in, and it literally took over my life. I cannot explain the feeling I felt when I finally handed it in - a kind of mixture of relief and anxiety. In May it was my 22nd birthday and also the month I completed my final exam in University - that's it, it was all done! In June myself and the girls jetted off the Ayia Napa for a week - which was sooo much fun! A week of not having to worry about anything and just chilling in the sun, cocktail in hand! It was also the month I received my degree results. I moved back in with my parents during June too - after living with Greg for three years this was definitely very difficult. July consisted of graduating from my Psychology degree *woop woop!!*, job hunting and enjoying (& visiting Alton Towers). In August I started my new job. September saw Greg turning 22 and going to London to watch Spurs vs. QPR. October was the month I finally had a new car!! Love my white (new shape) Micra!!! She's my baby. I was admitted into hospital in November with Pylonephritis (a severe kidney infection) - I never knew kidneys could cause so much pain!!! December just consisted of getting ready for Christmas - exciting! 

There you have it, 2012 was definitely a year full of memorable moments - both good and bad. Regardless of this, it was a year I wouldn't have changed. 

I am entering 2013 with an open mind and open heart. I have high hopes for this year. I already have something to look forward to. I am visiting Naples, Italy in March for 10 days - exciting :). I also have goals I would like to achieve this year; not necessarily 'New Years resolutions' just things I'd like to do at some point throughout the year. These are:

♥ Blog more. I have had this blog for over 3 years now, I think it's time I started to blog regularly. 

♥ Incorporate fashion into my blog. 

♥ Instagram a photo a day for whole of 2013.

♥ Spend more time with friends.

♥ Visit a Trans-Atlantic country - working in Virgin Atlantic gives me the perfect excuse to do this. San Fransisco, Las Vegas and Barbados are all on my list *fingers crossed*

♥ Join the gym and actually go!! I paid £30 a month for a gym last year (for the WHOLE year) and went once - not once a month... ONCE! In the entire year!! Shameful!

♥ Live more. Don't stay in all day doing nothing. Make an effort to make more memories.

♥ Don't dwell on silly little things. You only live once - as cliche as that is, it's very true. I do tend to worry about the most irrelevant things. 

As I said, these things are more like goals than resolutions. I never make New Years resolutions e.g. "I am going to lose weight" , "I am going to spend less money", "I am going to join the gym and go 4 times a week" because basically, that would just be setting myself up for a fail. I think the goals I have set myself are quite achievable. We'll have to wait and see I suppose!

So, there we are. A quick round up of 2012 and my hopes for 2013. 

I truly hope you all have a brilliant year and enjoy every minute.

"THERE IS NO TROUBLE SO GREAT OR GRAVE THAT CANNOT BE MUCH DIMINISHED BY A NICE CUP OF TEA" - Bernard-Paul Heroux

My Christmas (late I know!)

I'm absolutely gutted that the festive season is now well and truly over. That time of year is definitely my favourite. From the sparkly baubles to the countless tins of chocolates, I just love it all!!

I always start feeling festive very early on - sometime in November (Michael Bublé's Christmas album was on repeat in my car for way over a month - I think I know every single word to every single song on the album now!!!), although I start counting down the days starting the beginning of September maybe?! All the anticipation and excitement and then it is literally over within a few hours - a very good few hours at that. 

I was very lucky indeed to manage to book myself 9 lovely days off work to relax, chill out and properly enjoy. 

I have 2 little sisters - One who is 13 so not-so-little anymore; Carys and another who is actually still little; Abigail who is 7 :) Abigail still believes so it is still very magical in our house at this time of year, I think that's probably why I, myself, get so excited. Christmas eve was very exciting! We all got into our new onesies early in the evening (it's become a tradition in our house to have our Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve).

I was woken up at 6:55am on Christmas morning (after a very sleepless night due to excitement) by a very excited little girl and a very tired teenager! It's also a tradition in our house to open the presents in our stockings in our mum and step-dad's room before going downstairs to see what Santa has brought us. 

I must admit I was well and truly spoilt by my family and boyfriend. I got so much more than what I asked for/ was expecting! I am very very grateful for all that I received. *Thanks, guys!!!*

I was lucky enough to receive an iPad with Retina display (waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!) which was obviously my favourite present I had, along with a Fossil watch, Chanel Chance perfume, Topshop studded bag, Pandora Charm, Benefit make up and a whole load of Yankee Candles! I LOVED everything I received but I was extra excited about these items!!

After the excitement of opening our presents, we got ourselves ready and headed down my aunties house to see my family, which was lovely. We exchanged gifts and my cousins showed me what they'd received. My nanna was the one who bought me the Pandora Charm - she's amazing I love her. I love spending time with the people who mean most to me on Christmas Day!  

It was then time to head home and prepare for dinner... Exciting! My mum always makes the most amazing dinners. While my mum was slaving away in the kitchen, I laid the table to look all pretty and Christmassy - adorned with Christmas Crackers and nicely placed serviettes. The time finally came to eat, and it was absolutely amazing. Yum yum yum. 

The rest of the day consisted of doing nothing, watching all of the Christmas specials on tv and forcing myself to eat mountains of chocolate (such a hard life!) 

I truly had the best day, spending it with the people who mean most to me. I was just gutted that I couldn't see Greg as we live an hour away from eachother, but we saw each other on Boxing day anyway so that was okay. 

I hope you all enjoyed as much as I did! Roll on Christmas 2013!! 

Hair Envy - Ombre

I'm currently loving ombre hair! I know this trend has been around for quite a while now and I've always liked it but I'm looking to do something a little bit different with my hair at the moment and I think this is what I'll go for. 

I've seen a lot of people doing ombre themselves with a blonde dye/ bleach. However, I'm going to go to the salon because I need the opposite done. I already have light blonde hair, I just need the darker mousey blonde put in at the top - if that's even possible at all?! I'm sure it is! Has anyone else done it this way?!

I think it's time I booked an appointment!

My current 'go-to' foundation

Foundation is a product that I sometimes don't feel the need for. On good skin days, I can literally pop some powder over my face and feel that I have enough coverage. However, days like these are few and far between. On the more common bad skin days, foundation is my savior (along with some Collection 2000 concealer). This is the reason why choosing the right foundation is so important! Over the past couple of months, I've tried numerous drug store foundations (another post coming on that soon!) - none of which seemed to do the job.

Last year I purchased MAC Studio Sculpt foundation after being roped in by the sales person in a Debenhams store. I loved it so much due to its longevity and coverage that I saved it for special occasions (or those days when nothing else would do!) Unfortunately I ran out of that recently and after being disappointed by so many drugstore foundations that I decided to go have a look at MAC again and maybe purchase something different than before. That exact day I received an email from Debenhams to say there was 10% off beauty AND free delivery! Winner!

I'd never ever bought a foundation online before without testing it for colour match first so I was a little apprehensive despite having had previously owned a MAC foundation. The reason for this is that I could not remember for the life of me whether I was NW15 or NC15. Anyway I bit the bullet and decided to buy MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW15, praying that it was be a match! 

It was delivered within 2 days and I was SO excited to try it. I applied it with my Real Techniques Buffing brush. Application was simple although I did find it dries quite quickly so as long as you move swifly it's fine. Thankfully, the colour is a match!! WOOHOO! I find the coverage to be medium but buildable (a little bit goes a long way!) When used with my Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer my big bad bags under my eyes aren't visible! Always a plus :) As for its longevity, I've only really worn it at work so far, so in an office. I'm yet to expose my face to the elements whilst wearing it. But so far, I've found that it lasts throughout the day without needing a touch up. 

Over all, I'm very impressed with this foundation. I'd highly recommend this :) I understand that I'm way behind the times with this foundation and 99% of you have probably already used it, however if you haven't, go try! 

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush

Now, I must admit that when it comes to body skin care, I can be quite lazy. I'm not one to buy scrubs, moisturizers and body washes in abundance - especially not expensive posh stuff! To be quite honest, when it comes to shower gel, I usually just go for what's cheap or on offer at the time - normally ends up being Original Source or something similar. Call me cheap but this is what happens when you live as a student for 3 years! Old habits die hard and all that malarky.

 It's VERY rare for me to exfoliate and moisture either. No matter what time of year it is! The only time I regularly apply moisturizer is when I'm on holidays, after soaking up the sun. 

A couple of years back, just before I went to uni, I was obsessed with Soap & Glory. Everyone in the bloggesphere was raving about this brand, so I just had to check it out. The smell of this brand is what got me hooked. Such a lovely, light girlie fragrance. So for Christmas 2009, I received gift sets upon gift sets which included the well known Righteous Butter and Flake Away exfoliator. Anyway, after I while, the novelty wore off and I got lazy. I still often receive the travel sized products for birthdays, Easter etc.. But they just mostly sit in my baskets collecting dust until it is absolutely necessary that I use them. 

The only exception to this was when I was in my first year of uni and randomly bought the 'Sugar Crush Body Scrub'. The reason behind this purchase was that there was an offer on in Boots, I had just had my student loan and this smelt like an absolute DREAM... The rest is history. I'd found an exfoliator which I actually enjoyed using, purely due to the smell! I'd often catch my boyfriend using it too... Despite how much he'd deny it. Anyway, after many Sugar Scrub filled showers, the pot was empty *boo* and so was my bank account. By the next time I had money to spare, I'd completely forgotten about this little beauty. However, a while later when I was reminded by my boyfriend about how much I loved it, I just could not find it ANYWHERE. I searched each Boots I went into and couldn't find it on the website either. I gave up hope and thought it had been discontinued!! UNTIL... earlier on this year, I was browsing the Soap & Glory shelves and was smelling the glorious exfoliators and I FOUND IT!! :) ...It had been repackaged!! (How silly did I feel?!! School boy error!!) Previously it had a turquoise lid but it now blends in with the range more. Anyway, on a recent trip to Boots, I repurchased this exfoliator and was VERY excited when I saw that they had released a 'Sugar Scrub' body wash and moisturizer - yayyy! Anyway, I thought I'd give you a little review on these products!

Well, I thought I'd best start with the product that I was originally hooked on - The exfoliator. If you can't already tell, I absolutely LOVE it. It smells like nothing I have ever smelt before. On the packaging it claims to contain 'Smashed brown sugar & sweet lime, almond oil & macadamia grains'. It definitely does smell like lime... Although my 8 year old sister is adamant it smells like cream soda! As for the exfoliating part, it definitely does the job. It is very grainy (the smashed brown sugar and macadamia grains are fab!) and after the first use, I noticed a difference to my scaly legs (eww!). It isn't harsh enough to cause discomfort though, however I would not recommend using straight after shaving your legs as it does sting quite a bit (it does state this on the tub but I obv didn't listen!). The consistency is quite oily and does moisturize a lot - both during and after use :) I would definitely recommend this and at £8 for a 300 ML tub you can't really go wrong as it does last AAAAGES. The only thing I'd say, is that maybe the packaging should be updated again to match the pink and lime of the new products! 

There isn't much to say about the Body Wash except for the smell! It's gorgeous. It's also quite moisturising! It's definitely a lot better than other body washes that I'm used to using - especially when used with a shower puff. (It's £6.50 for 500 ML - bargain!)

The Body Buttercream is absolutely fantastic! After using the body wash and exfoliator I jump out of the shower and slather myself in this moisturiser (while I'm still damp) and if you haven't already guessed - it smells the same!!! :) It's thick and contains 'Shea & coco nut balm, lime & almond oils and kiwi juice water'. It retails at £10 for a 300 ML tub. It will seriously last ages!!!

I definitely recommend these products to anyone! I understand that this smell will not be to everybodys taste but for me it gets a MASSIVE thumbs up! You can buy these products from Boots online here or in-store. These would definitely make a brilliant Christmas present and at the moment, Boots have a 3 for 2 offer on! Hurry hurry!!