Reflecting on 2015...

2015, Wow what a year! I never thought that some of the things that have happened, would happen. This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster full of emotions. As always, It's been the worst year, but also the best year. I've lost some of the most special people in my life, but also gained some amazing relationships and friendships. I've cried more than I have ever cried, but laughed a hell of a lot too.

I've been in quite a few jobs this year, and now finally found a job I love. I work with some of the nicest, funniest people I have ever met and I am so grateful for that. Because of these people, they have really helped me get out of the deep dark hole of rock bottom and slowly I have worked my way back up the ladder. The last few months of this year I have learnt so much, started working on myself a lot more, not just my appearance but really trying to improve on the way I act and speak to people.

I have experienced some amazing things this year. I climbed Mount Snowdon, I completed a 10k race at the Wolf Run, I have been to a festival, and many concerts. I seen Florence and the machine and One Direction, My dream come true!

My family have been through so much this year after finding out my Grandad was ill. It was the worst time for all of us, but has made us incredibly closer than ever before. I went through a break up, which felt like the end of the world. I now think back to those happy times and I am so grateful for experiencing my first 'proper' relationship with him which I will never forget.  As Adele would say 'They say time is meant to heal ya, But I ain't done much healing.' Well at first I didn't think I had at all, but I have come a long way from there and them thoughts haven't completely gone yet, but again, I am very grateful. Without all of those things happening, I wouldn't be where I am today. I wouldn't of met some of the people I have met if I didn't go through struggles.

So now onto the big, scary 2016. I'm not going to say the cliché 'New Year, New Me', because  everyday is a 'New Me.' I am constantly working on myself, my happiness, my health, supporting my family. I have lots of exciting things planned for the year to come, including going to China, On my own. I am so nervous, but extremely excited.

Right now I am away relaxing, maybe even having a massage as you read this, But I hope you have a Happy New Year and let's all skip into the adventures and surprises of what 2016 has to offer!

Some of my Yearly Favourites

 As 2015 is coming to an end, I thought I would talk you through some of my yearly favourites. Some are new, some have been around for a bit.

I have loved wearing my L'oreal Lipstick and have repurchased a new one as I have had the old one for a few years. I love how bright it is, you can tone it down with the amount you apply and even if I am not wearing much/no makeup it just brightens up my face. Beautiful colour and very moisturising.

Bourjois Lipstick, Very bright, longlasting and matte. Brilliant for those nights out you want the lipstick to last all night. I even have to scrub it off, very hard to get off when you want it too!

My hat from Asda has been in a recent post, alongside with my Revlon Photo Ready illuminator. Wearing them both together makes me feel fabulous. Glowing skin in the winter months whilst keeping warm is a must!

Avene Cleanance cleanser is an ultimate fav in my skincare routine. I have repurchased this many times this year and really helps clear them imperfections! My skin has got so bad recently, (probably beacuse of my bad diet) but this product really helps to clear and clean.

I have banged on about this product many times and I am literally in love. I never thought I would go near a powder foundation but I feel it works better than any liquid foundations I have used. Great to cover spots, redness, and actually gives me a little bit of a glow. Bare Minerals Original powder foundation is like heaven in a pot. The more you buff, the better it looks. High five to the creator of this wonderful product!

And lastly the YSL perfume. I got this last christmas from my Uncle and didn't really like it very much at first. I then carried on wearing it and just couldn't stop. As this is quite a strong scent, you need the tiniest amount, but it lasts all day and smells wonderful!

What are your Yearly favourites?

A journal to my Grandad...

I have spoken about it a little already on my blog, but if you didn't already know, my Grandad is very ill. He doesn't look like he is, but that's because he is fighting with a big happy smile on his face. I was told by one of my best friend's mum to find out as much as I could about my Grandparents as she had questions for her parents she never got round to asking. So I decided I would buy a 'Grandad Journal.' I bought this from Amazon and thought this was a great way of documenting everything so I could never forget and always have the book to look back on.  As my Grandad is 81 and struggles to read and write, I will be filling it in for him but will spend days together whilst he reels off everything about his life.

I really think this is a great way to document your loved ones lives, because if you really think about it, How much do you know your family? How did your parents/grandparents meet? What were their favourite things to eat or do as a hobby? I will definitely be buying a book for each of my family and look forward to reading their experiences.

Have you got one of these books? What do you think?

Get the Glow

I have wanted a product that would give me an all over glow but still natural looking, and I think I've found it. Since the day I bought this product, I have been wearing it non-stop. I have had the Revlon Photo ready foundation for quite a while now and love it. There are lots of different shades of the face illuminators, and I really wanted to get the Pink shade but my local Boots store only had '100 Bare light' available. I tried it out and was a little nervous that it would be too dark for my skin tone as it is a bronze colour. I normally suit more pinky shades than gold but surprisingly, I think it looks really nice. My skin looks very sluggish and this gives my face the glow and colour it needs.

This is a great product to use for Christmas parties, nights out or even everyday! Have you tried these products? What do you think?

My next post will be Sunday, I hope you have a lovely Christmas!

The New Hat

I have been MIA for a few weeks but I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things...

It seems to be a little tradition, every year I get a new Winter coat, and even a hat and scarf. This year my black bobble hat is in the bottom of the drawer and the new one is in full swing. This hat is from Asda for a whopping £6! I normally like a baggy hat as I feel like I have a big head and with tighter hats, makes me look like a melon. I love this hat purely for the big pom pom on the top. I thought this would be good for when I go for my winter getaway as I will be doing a lot of walking and will need to keep warm.

What are your favourite fashion winter essentials?

Longlasting Red Lip

It's getting nearer to Christmas and the parties will be commencing. I have a lip trick that probably everyone knows by now but will make your lipstick stay on for hours. I love a bright lip any day of the week, but nearer to Christmas, makes it seem a little bit more special. My works Christmas party is coming up soon and I cannot wait to load up my lips with Red lipstick.

I normally apply a lip balm of some sort about ten minutes before applying any lipstick. Then my trick to making the colour last, is to line and fill the entire lip with lip pencil. This makes the lip feel a little bit matte and allows the lipstick to last a little longer. I then apply a lipstick or crayon and then go round the edges with a concealer brush. Sometimes I even use a little bit of translucent powder over the top to make it last even longer!

What is your favourite red lipstick? I always like to add to my collection!!

Easy Flawless everyday makeup

For a while now I've listened to people's remarks how I wear 'too much makeup'. I have never wore a crazy amount of makeup but I love a bright lip and a good old wing liner. Since hearing those comments constantly from mainly family, I tried to go even more natural. Hardly wearing any makeup, bye bye eyeliner. I then didn't feel like myself. I was trying to be someone I wasn't, just because of a bit of eyeliner. Sounds silly when you say it out loud. I had enough of trying to please others with how I look. So the eyeliner has come back out and this is what I used my face. 

In my opinion the look is still very natural, I've been trying to stay clear of heavy foundations because of my acne but still letting my skin breathe with Bare Minerals and having a little extra coverage with the MAC concealer. Most of the makeup I use is all the same just used differently. I then used Illamasqua cream blusher, Sleek eyebrow kit, and also mixed Barry M red lip liner with a bright pink lipstick from Revlon. The Loreal mascara I have had for a long time hence the writing slowly disappearing. As for the eyeliner, I have been using Rimmel Exaggerate liquid liner which goes on to the eye so lovely and is very long lasting. I sometimes even struggle to get it off!

What are your favourite products and can you recommend the best eyeliner on the market? 

The Boden Blouse

If you seen on my Instagram a few weeks ago (candy_camera) I was wearing this Boden blouse. I love wearing this blouse as it's lightweight, very comfortable to wear and I always get complimented by strangers which is lovely. And just by the print people will say 'That's definitely Boden.' The brand is known for high quality clothing and they always have iconic prints or colours which makes the clothing unique. Since working in an office, I have been struggling to know what to wear and this blouse is perfect for work or even for casual days paired with black jeans and a big coat like the below. If you haven't already checked their website then click here, I'm sure you will find something you will fall in love with.

 

Enrapture heated curlers

If you had seen in my November favourites you would of seen that these have creeped back into my life. I have used many different hair tools in the past and always struggled to curl my hair. I can't do it with straighteners or the barrels that have a clasp. I can only do it with heated curlers or a wand without a clasp. I have also used many different heated  curlers and they haven't worked as well than these bad boys. The best thing about Enrapture heated curlers is that not just the curler is being heated but the clip is too, thanks to the strip of metal inside. I can quickly roll and secure all my hair up, do my makeup and by the time I'm finished, the curlers have started to cool and I can take them out. They don't take long to heat up either so great to use if you're in a rush. I did buy these a long time ago and I think I may have got a sale price in Boots but they are by far one of my best purchases I have made and I recommend them to everyone!

What are your favourite hair appliances? Do you like Enrapture? 

November Fashion Favourites

November, the time to get ready for Christmas as it's slowly creeping around the corner. The nights you can put cosy pyjamas, light candles, scoff biscuits whilst watching films. Forget about the bad weather outside and relax. This month it's all about fashion after talking to one of my best friends Conor, I have decided to stop spending so much time down the food and makeup aisles and head for the big shopping centres. And then I can be cosy after a long day of shopping.

Coat- New Look.
I seen a coat from Zara for £100, and even though it felt wonderful to wear and I felt on top of the world, the price tag made me come back down to earth. Amazing coat but I couldn't bring myself to spend that much money, and this coat from New Look was £30 and still as lovely.

Scarf - New Look.
I have been obsessed with wearing this scarf, Especially with the New Look coat, It's just not coming off.

Shoes- Sainsbury's.
Since a massive new store has opened near me, sometimes on my lunch break I like to have a wander round Sainsbury's and came across these shoes for £9 in the sale. Love them! So comfy and with the elastic around the sides, makes it super easy to slip on and off. I am a shoe size six, but they were just a little small so went for a seven which is slightly too big but at least I can wear thicker socks!

Enrapture heated curlers.
One thing that isn't fashion related but still a November favourite is the Enrapture heated curlers. Every blogger and their Grandma probably owns at least one appliance from Enrapture after a massive obsession with them a few years ago. I have whipped the big box of happiness out of the cabinet and started using them again and they make my hair have lovely big curls. Blog post all about them on Friday.