Lifestyle | My Room at Uni

Hi everyone!

The one word which people always describe me as is QUIRKY. Many of my friends have said this is reflected in my room. I thought today I'd show you a few things in my room as I'm pretty happy with how I've decorated it as it perfectly reflects my personality. A lot of things have been given to me by my Mum or friends who know me to an absolute 't'. 

My wall I found was quite bare and as we aren't allowed to paint it, I thought I'd brighten up the room by putting up some wrapping paper. I got this particular paper from paper chase. 

You can get a better idea of my bedding here:

 http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9133064.htm

These two canvases were beautifully painted by one of my best friends as a birthday present. Each year she paints me a new canvas. I love how sentimental they are and the detail that she puts in. (Sorry about the poor lighting on some of those images.) 

These are my pretty little fairy lights I have hanging across one of my walls. They were a house warming present from my Mum, they look great in the evenings when I have all my lights off. I think they are a set of 20 or 25 and were from Next. 

This was another cute thing that my Mum sent me, the quote is by Edward Monkton and definitely reflects my personality. I keep this on my desk as it is very sentimental to me.

I am a massive lover of food, so this box is perfect for me when I want something that I 'shouldn't eat'. I really like the concept of it and think it looks unique sitting on my shelf.

This is a little box that I got given by a friend for my birthday, it's perfect for keeping hair ties and bobby pins in as I seem to find I always lose them. I sometimes wonder whether my floor just eats them all up!

This was a little night light my Mum sent me last week, I love the pattern and looks super cute in my room. She knows me way too well.


Those are a few of things I particularly love in my room.
If you'd like me to write a post on a particular thing let me know in the comments section.

Eikc. 

Lifestyle | Self Image & Body Confidence

Hi everyone!

I know I've already written a post today but I really wanted to do a lifestyle post and address the topic of self image and body confidence. For girls growing up there is intense pressure to be and look a certain way, but why? As long as your healthy and happy with your own weight, why does it matter if you're not a size zero?

The society we are currently live in idolises celebrities and their lifestyle. We become addicted to how they look, and what they do to look that way. We've all been there, searching for a new diet to try out to quickly lose the pounds, but realistically these 'fad diets' won't permanently keep off the weight and will cause your body more damage than it's worth. The key thing is be healthy, each individuals 'healthy weight' differs and it involves looking at your height, gender, bone structure and metabolism. Therefore its impossible to compare yourself to other people and worry that you might not be as thin as them. As long as your confident within yourself then others will see it too.

If people comment about your appearance or body weight, take a good look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself are YOU happy with yourself and the way you look and feel? Nobody else's opinion matters but your own. Only you know how you feel and only you can help yourself if you're not happy with what you see.

Why should we feel the need to all look the same? Essentially our appearance reflects the person we are on the inside and we express this through clothing, make up, hair, piercings etc. One thing I love about being a Brightonian is the diversity of people, personally I think its refreshing, they have nocare in the world what other people think about them and they themselves are confident with who they are. Something I think a lot of people struggle with. With the fashion world, there is always something for everyone, we buy things we feel confident in and that coordinates with our personality. If someone else doesn't like a piece of clothing that we wear, should we stop wearing it? The answer is no, as long as you like it, who cares what anyone else thinks. There is bound to be others out there who share the same taste as you.

The point I'm trying to get across is that we should be confident in ourselves and realise everyone has flaws. No one is perfect.

Body confidence is a struggle for many and this is something the media still needs to address, particularly within the modelling world. The photos we are presented with aren't realistic and are photo shopped in order for the model to look perfect and desirable. The video linked below I feel perfectly demonstrates this and carries an important message on self image.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U

Eikc.

Bodycare | Soap & Glory's Sugar Crush Body Scrub

Hi everyone!

Today I'm going to be sharing my views on the 'Sugar Crush' body scrub by Soap & Glory.

The main ingredients in this product are; brown sugar, lime, almond oil and macadamia grains. The lime and the sugar gives the product a sweet yet refreshing smell.

Almond oil is great for the skin, this is due to it being a rich source of vitamin E. It also contains vitamin D as well as containing other nutritional components. Almond oil has many beauty and health benefits, a few include; deeply moisturising the skin, nourishing the skin making it soft and smooth. It additionally improves complexion and retains glow.

Brown sugar is a great natural exfoliator and has many benefits. Because of the smaller particles in brown sugar, it is softer on the skin, meaning it can be used for those who have sensitive skin. It's also great at scrubbing away dead skin cells making way for healthier skin.

The use of macadamia is known to be great in relation to haircare and skincare. This is due to it deeply penetrating the skin. It is known to help the elasticity of the skin as well as preventing stretch marks.

I think this product is great, after using it my skin feels replenished, moisturised and makes it feel really soft. The price tag for this scrub is £8.00 and for the amount of product you get I think it is very affordable. I tend to use this product once or twice a week, as it isn't necessary to exfoliate your skin everyday.

Have you tried out this product?

If your interested in a DIY lip scrub please check out my friend Life of Libby:

http://www.lifeoflibby.co.uk/2013/06/diy-sugar-lip-scrub.html


Eikc.

Makeup | My Current Beauty Wants

Hi everyone!

Today has been a bit of a lazy day sat in bed and watching films, however I couldn't help but browse online for products that I'd love to try out. Being a student however, means the likelihood of being able to afford these products is slim, I can dream though.. right?

Anyone who has tried these products out, PLEASE comment and tell me what you think of them, I'd be really interested to know your thoughts. Also if you know of products similar to these which are cheaper, please let me know as the majority these products are quite expensive.

1) Mac's Mineralize Skin Finish - £22.00
My skin type is oily, so when I apply powder I find after a few hours my face becomes really shiny. I've read good reviews for this product and that it is long lasting and mattifies the face.

2) Barry M's Gelly Hi-Shine in Guava - £3.99
I've always been impressed by the Gelly Hi-Shines, personally I think Barry M is one of the better brands for nail varnish in terms of the formula and how long it lasts for, in particular the Gelly Hi-Shines. It applies opaque so only one or two coats need to be applied in order to achieve the desired effect . They also come in a wide range of colours. I currently own Lychee, Prickly Pear and Blueberry, all such pretty shades! The collection is affordable which is always a bonus.

3) Nars' Laguna Bronzer - £26.00
This product is definitely on the steeper side in terms of price, it's almost unjustifiable for me to buy it. However I've heard such good reviews, so I'm confused to whether or not its worth the price! It's such a pretty colour and claims to give a subtle glow with its golden shimmer.

4) Mac's Soft & Gentle Highlighter - £22.00
I've recently seen this product on one of Sprinkle of Glitter's videos and I fell in love. It's such a beautiful shade, a peachy bronze colour. It looks like the perfect highlighter!

5) Mac's Studio Finish Concealer - £15.00
I've heard great reviews for this product, it seems the Studio finish line provides full coverage so this product would be perfect for any blemishes or under eye circles. Saying this I don't think I could justify spending £15 on this concealer as the concealer by Collection I think is just as good but it's a fraction of the price.

6) Benefit's They're Real Mascara - £19.50 
My friend Amy recomended this mascara to me and showed me the effect it gave. Although she already had long lashes there was a clear difference once she had applied it. Her lashes looked so nice after. Although this mascara is quite expensive I think that it would definitely be worth trying out!

7) Urban Decay's Naked 2 palette - £37.00
I know I know.. £37.00, but it is SO worth it, I once had this palette but sadly lost it. I have been dying to get my hands on another but they are so popular and are usually always sold out in most places. The palette has the most gorgeous neutral shades, three matte, the rest shimmer. You can create both daytime and night time looks from this palette and every colour is so wearable.

8) Benefit's POREfessional Primer - £24.50
I've heard way too many good reviews for this product and how it makes a big difference when applying makeup! Being voted the UK's best selling primer how could I ignore this product?!

9) Sleek's Blush Palette in Californ.i.a- £9.99
I've always loved sleek's blushes, but the fact you get three blushes for just under £10 I think it is a bargain. They are great quality and surprisingly have good pigmentation. I've read these cream blushers are easy to blend and last a long time on the skin. The three colours in the palette are; Newport Peach, The Surf and OC. Newport beach is an orange toned coral, The Surf is a pale peach with a golden shimmer and the OC is a pink toned coral.

What are your current beauty wants?

Eikc.

Makeup | Perfect lipstick for Spring.

I remember the day I bought this lipstick last year and how excited I was to try it out. I haven't really used it much over the winter period because I much prefer darker colours during this time. However, with Spring only round the corner I have already placed it back in my day to day make up bag.

This is the Max Factor lipstick in 'English Rose' priced at £6.99.

As you can see from the photo, the colour is a beautiful pink with silver shimmer. I think its such a feminine colour and is so easy to wear on a day to day basis, but also great to wear on a night out if you have quite heavy eye make up (smoky eye). The lipstick itself is moisturising, however doesn't last as long as I had hoped. I'd say if you were eating and drinking, you'd have to reapply the lipstick to keep up the colour. However, this doesn't bother me too much as I'd happily quickly reapply it throughout the day.

For me I don't think the colour is as full on as other lipsticks because of the shimmer. In that respect I'd say it reminds me of Revlon's lip butters because of their glossiness and that they give a subtle colour rather than being bold. I'm definitely looking forward to being able to start wearing this colour again, I think its definitely affordable and when I run out I will be repurchasing without a doubt.

What is your favourite Spring lipstick?

Eikc.

Makeup | Kate Moss Lipsticks

Kate Moss lipsticks are loved by so many, for the colour range, for the pigmentation and for being affordable. As well as owning these two, (08 on the left and 01 on the right) I also own 107. I personally have mixed reviews on these lipsticks. 

Whilst I do agree they do have a good colour range I haven't been particularly excited by 01. First off, I think 01 is too bright for my skin colour, my own fault, so for this reason I wouldn't repurchase it. I find it quite hard to apply due to the colour being so bold, so applying it precisely is quite difficult. Perhaps using a lip brush would make it easier. I've found its quite transferable which effects the overall appearance of it. As a result I have had to reapply it frequently. It smudges very easily so if you're on a night out, it is a product I would not recommend. Even after blotting a few times I still find the colour bleeds.

I feel similar towards 107, however I do love the colour, it comes out as a rich wine colour and is perfect  for the colder months. This one is more of a matte colour. I don't find it dries my lips out, in general I think it's quite moisturising. It's definitely a build able colour, if you're looking for less of a bold colour you could apply less, blot or even use a lipbrush to control how much product you are using. Whilst I am in set in my ways in my opinion on 01, I want to give this product another try as I know so many people love this shade and rave about it being a great lipstick. 

I love the shade 08. I think it resembles Max Factor's English Rose, however there are some differences as 08 is a matte colour and English Rose has more of a shine and has a silver shimmer in it. I'd say this is a great day to day colour and that it would look pretty with a neutral eye. 

What's your opinions on Kate Moss lipsticks?

Eikc. 

Help: Skin care

Hi everyone!

So I think its safe to say I am a skin care noob. I'm embarrasingly one of the those people who use make up wipes to remove my make up at night then go straight to bed. Saying that though, since Christmas I have got into using the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish which I love! I also moisturise my face daily using the Simple Light Moisturiser.

I need some help on recommending some effective high street skin products to establish a better skin care routine. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

I currently use the Loreal True Match Foundation, but am looking to try out another drug store one. So any suggestions on that also would be handy.

Eikc.

'Pamper Evening'

Hi everyone!

After a long stressful week of being a student I like to treat myself with a pamper evening at the weekend. However, because of the exam period at the moment it has to be a quick session!

I like to start by having a shower and using the TRESemme Thermal Recovery Treatment Masque. As I dye my hair every few months, I like to make sure I keep it in good condition. This masque is very hydrating and leaves my hair feeling very soft and healthy. It is great to use if like me you often use heat on your hair. I leave the masque on my hair for about five minutes then wash it out.

I then moisturise my skin with the Palmer's 'Intensive Relief body lotion'. It definitely does the job of hydrating your skin leaving it soft, however it has quite a greasy consistency and I find it takes a while to dry making it a bit awkward. One thing I particularly like is the scent being cocoa butter! I would love to try a new body moisturiser so if you have any favourites that you use please leave a comment below! 

I then move onto my face. I like to use my 'Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish'. It has definitely been a revolutionary product in the skincare world. It's great for all skin types and all ages. Its perfect for taking off any left over make up, including the hard to remove products like waterproof mascara. The cleanser itself is very creamy and is plant based. It consists of two steps, as the product suggests, it involves both cleansing and polishing the skin. The polishing step works by using the muslin cloth which comes with the product. It removes any dead skins cells that might be there and exfoliates your face, leaving it feeling very clean!

During the exam period my skin tends to break out more due to stress so I like to use a face masque. The one I have lying around currently is the 'Montagne Jeunesse Anti Stress Chocolate Masque'. I think I seem to be going with the theme of chocolate smelling products in this post! I tend to leave it on between 10-15 minutes, basically until the masque has set. Then I just wash it off with warm water. My favourite masque by this brand is the peeling off ones. Weirdly I find it quite satisfying peeling it all off after! This masque is great for unblocking pores, allowing any impurities you may have to be drawn out. 

To lock in the moisture I apply a small amount of Simple's 'Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser'. I think this is a great moisturiser and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy after application. What's great is that its perfect for sensitive skin which is fab for me as some skincare products can be too harsh for my skin. 

I then finish off with my nails. As I already have my nails done, I like to prolong them as long as possible. To do this I use CND's 'Solar Oil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner'. This was something my Mum introduced me to and it definitely does make a difference on how long my nails last. I apply it to the cuticles and nails every day, what it does is it penetrates and protects the nail and cuticle area, making the nail stronger and keeping them healthy. I actually really like the almond scent of this product. The product itself is made of a range of different oils and also includes Vitamin E. 

That's it for my pamper evening as I have to get straight back to revision!

What does your pamper session consist of?

Let me know as I'd be really interested to know.

Eikc. 

Topic of controversy

I think the topic of whether private school is better than state school is a controversial topic. Having gone to a public school I definitely don't feel I have missed out on anything by not attending private school.

liverpool.tab.co.uk/2014/01/17/why-private-schools-are-better/

I came across this article written by an individual at the University of Bristol expressing her views on private school in relation to state school and how'd she'd prefer not to go to school with the "yobbos" at state schools. According to her article, "some things only money can buy - and a good education is one of them." Whilst I understand private schools have smaller classrooms to achieve greater one to one interaction I don't think its fair to say that individuals who attend public school won't gain a good education. What amused me most was how she stated that private schools receive higher grades than state schools then concluded it was because "they are cleverer", irony at its best.
Whilst my school did not have "stables and squash courts" like these apparent private schools, I still believe I learnt important life lessons such as "leadership" and "being a team player". There were plenty of other activities I could partake in to learn the same lessons..

In my opinion it comes down to how much the individual wants it to whether or not they will gain success. A student at a state school has just as much of an equal chance of knowing someone who can introduce them to an opportunity to a student at private school.  I believe some individuals can benefit from having private education due to whatever the circumstance may be, however something which always irritates me up is the narrow mindedness of individuals who believe in order to gain good education you must possess the class of an elitist.

Eikc.

What I do to unwind.

Around this time of year, I tend to become very stressed so there are now a few things I like to do in order to unwind.

Candles. And lots of them. I like to turn off the main light and have the side light on with all my candles lit. It makes the room feel a lot calmer. 

I've recently got on the Spotify premium bandwagon (a few years late) and have subscribed to a months free subscription which I have so far thoroughly enjoyed. As soon as the month finishes I'm going to subscribe to the student deal of £4.99 per month for Spotify premium. I've made a playlist of chilled songs that I like to listen to, including; Mumford & Sons, Temper Trap, Bombay Bicycle Club etc. 

If I'm not listening to music I love watching Criminal Minds or New Tricks. Anything to do with crime I love watching. 

What do you do when you want to relax?

Eikc.

Baking #1 - White Chocolate Cookies.

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd share one of my favourite baking recipes! I constantly bake when I'm at home from Uni and stumbled across this recipe for white chocolate cookies. They were very popular in my household and I was told to make them again ASAP.

I had originally found the recipe online by Nigella Lawson, however I slightly changed the recipe myself! 

Things you will need:

Firstly weigh out your margarine, sugar and syrup, place in a bowl and sit it over a pan of boiling water.

Wait for it to melt, then remove off heat. Then add the egg to the mixture and stir. Put aside.

Next measure out the dry ingredients, the baking powder, the flour and a pinch of salt. Here you can get away with adding a few drops of vanilla extract in as well. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of the wet ingredients and again stir. 

Put the bowl in the fridge to chill for about half an hour. At this point set your oven to 175 degrees Celsius and put baking parchment on a tray ready for the cookies to go on. After the mixture has chilled in the fridge, take it out and add the chocolate (chocolate should be cut into small chunks). 

Spoon tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared tray, making sure to leave space for them to grow in size. Make sure you gently push down on the top of the cookie before you put it in the oven.

Place in oven for a total of 12 minutes, check the cookies after five minutes making sure you turn the tray around. These cookies are meant to be soft and squidgy and will harden a bit when cooled. Before you place them on a rack to cool, leave them a few minutes so they don't fall apart when you try and transport them.

And there we have it, massive tasty white chocolate chip cookies. Recipes makes about 9.

Let me know if you like the baking posts!

Eikc.

Yankee Candles.

I've always wanted to buy a Yankee Candle, but what always gets me is how expensive they are. Are they infact worth the price? I decided to opt for the small candle, and it was around the £5-6 mark, because it was one of those ones which had been opened for people to smell. The other small candles were amount the £8 mark. I was drawn to the clean cotton smell in particular and am now obsessed with lighting it whilst I do revision. It has such a fresh smell and definitely makes the room you're in more homely. Although I loved it, I am a student and am on a budget so will experiment with different brands. I'll be sad when I've finished this candle, though I think they're great for a present for someone.

What's your favourite brand of candle? 

Eikc.

New Year Resolutions.

Hi everyone and happy 2014 to you all,

I thought for my own benefit it might be nice to try and think of a few New Years resolutions. 2013 was a mixed year for me, both good and bad things occurred. I'm hoping 2014 brings a bit more positivity and good luck.

The first thing I want to do is to stay motivated in my academic work. I'm a Psychology student and although it is interesting, I often lose interest and motivation in terms of studying.

The second thing is to stay positive regardless of the bad things that may happen in day to day life and to remember things will get better. 

The third thing is to motivate myself to keep up this blog, a lot of hobbies I start, I often leave behind after a short amount of time. I want this blog to be something I can be proud of and for it to become a hobby of mine so that I can add to it whilst procrastinating from work. 

What were your New Years resolutions?

Eikc.