Happy 1st Birthday!

Hey my lovelies, I hope you're all well and are having a good day. As you can see by the title it's a 1st birthday for someone/something... and that is THIS BLOG! Yesterday marked a year since I created this blog and published my first ever post! I can't even believe I'm still blogging to be honest, my attention span is the size of a child still, I find it hard to stick to doing things but I wanted for so long to be apart of the beauty community after years of watching beauty Youtubers, yet I knew I wouldn't be able to film videos of myself because I'm too shy so blogging was the choice for me.

I love blogging, it's an amazing feeling after each blog post I create and publish, as that's my own work and effort and when I see people viewing them I get a fuzzy feeling inside of happiness. Even though my views are only double figures it's still amazing to me, everyone starts somewhere, we all experience the same stages at the start.

The things that have been highlights for me in the first year of blogging are being apart of the #BloggersDoItBetter Challenges, they were great. We'd get a topic from the creator of the challenge and we'd do a blog post about that topic, it happened once a fortnight (two weeks). I had amazing feedback on all my posts I did during this challenge, like they were literally the only posts I had comments on. This post was my most successful I'd say. But as you may or may not know I stopped blogging for some months due to being lazy and lack of inspiration and when I did begin blogging again I didn't see any more challenges for the #BloggersDoItBetter. And another highlight was reaching 50 Bloglovin' followers, I know to some people this may seem a pathetic amount but to me it's amazing and I thank everyone who follows my blog and views it.

I have some things I'd like to accomplish for my next year of blogging.

• Communicate with more bloggers. I don't really do that currently because I think I'd be ignored or something but I'm going to get out there and talk to as many as I can, comment on their posts, and make friends.
• I want to be apart of another group/challenge like I was with #BloggersDoItBetter, it was a great experience to be apart of and it made me feel more apart of the blogging community. 
• Literally be more organised with my posts, like have set days where I'll sit down and write posts, any idea I get for posts I'll write down the moment I think of it, try to post so it goes in order like beauty post, hair post, lifestyle post then tag post. If you get what I mean, a routine.. I have a posting routine for the days I post but not any set topics it's all random.
• Be more brave and make tutorial posts of make-up looks and hairstyles. I'm going to experiment more on make-up looks and hairstyles than just sticking to my usual ones so I have more and better content for you.
• Reach 100 Bloglovin' followers, omg that would be so amazing to me!
• Re-design my blog, I've had the same design for a whole year and what I was thinking was redesign my blog for each season so it's goes with it like the color scheme.
• Branch out and try more and different products so I have better knowledge to make better posts and more of a variety.
• And my last thing to accomplish would be to just have fun and love what I'm blogging about.

---

Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Tumblr

The 'Me Time' Tag!

This tag came up on my subscriptions on YouTube a few months ago (I had saved this in my drafts since it came out because I like this tag) from Fleur and after watching it, I knew I wanted to do this tag on my blog, as I love tags. They're easy to do when you have no idea what else to write about and they're also good for readers to get to know the blogger more personal.

What do you watch or read during me-time?

I usually browse the movie channels first to see if there are any of my faves on but if not I like to watch either TLC, E! Entertainment or Health & Home Channels. Also I watch my YouTube subscriptions with the TV in the background. I'm not reading anything at the moment, so for reading it would be my Bloglovin' feed.

What do you wear during me-time? #nobra

Usually leggings, fluffy socks and a plain top or hoodie.

What are your me-time beauty products?

For Face: Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser, A Montagne Jeunesse Mask, Nivea Creme. For Hair: Coconut Oil. For body: Soap & Glory Calm One Calm All Bubble Bath, Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish, Soap & Glory Smoothie Star Body Lotion.

Current favorite nail polish?

Barry M 161 Vivid Purple, 303 Bright Purple, 273 Raspberry, 355 Gold Mine Glitter & Essie Bahama Mama.

What do you eat/drink during me-time?

Rainbow Drops, Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar Tyrrell's Crisps & Pepsi Max but I'm on a diet and wanting to be more healthy so I won't be having these treats all that much... All about the juicy fruit and water. ;)

Current favorite candle?

Christmas Cookie Yankee Candle.

Do you ever have outdoor me-time?

In the summer time yes, I'd go for a walk in the banks and fields where I live.

Would you ever go see a movie alone?

If there was a movie I really wanted to see and no one wanted to come with then yes.

Favorite online shop?

Does Boots count?

Anything to add? What else do you do during me-time?

Cuddle with my boyfriend while watching movies and eating.

I hope you liked this tag, I tag you, so if you feel like doing this tag, be sure to do and comment below when you've done it so I can check yours out! If you haven't got a blog then leave a comment of your answers to this tag. I'd love to read your me-time must-haves and do's.

---

Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Tumblr

The best of 2014 & hello 2015

I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year, I hope 2014 treated you well and 2015 is a better year for you all.

For me 2014 started off bad but it got better, lemme tell ya it was a much better year than 2013 as I was depressed and had issues with myself and in the summer my parents had a messy break up, it was a dramatic 6 months to say the least so I'm not getting into detail and plastering all what happened for all to see but a few months into 2014 they got back together and things got back to normal. 

I also started this blog up in 2014 because I love all things beauty and thought a blog would be perfect as I'm not confident enough for YouTube, I was good at blogging for a few months then I got busy with work over summer and stopped, I then tried to come back in November but stopped after a few posts, with no intention it just happened. Which this is where my news years resolution comes in, 2015 is going to be the year of my blogging, I am so determined to make a decent blog and I'd like to maybe reach 100 Bloglovin' followers and 50 Google Friend Connect followers, that would be amazing. I really am going to get at it this year, I do love blogging, reading other blogs and connecting with other bloggers, it's an amazing community.

I went to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making Of Harry Potter World in London in the summer with my cousin for her 29th birthday, yes 29 she's a massive Harry Potter fan, read all the books and seen all the movies, I'm not a huge fan but I've seen the movies. It was a lovely experience and day out, I would go back but around Halloween or Christmas because it would be decorated for those occasions.

A new family member was also welcomed, my little darling niece was born 25th September, 2014 and she is the most beautiful girl I've laid eyes on. She's so precious to me and she's played a big part in mending my parents relationship and getting the family close together. I'm not going to lie it has made me broody and I can't wait to start a family with my boyfriend.. not just yet as we need to save, save, save for our future together but I definitely want a baby within the next 2 years as I'll be 22-23 and my boyfriend will be 25-26 those ages to us both feel right to start.

And I can't forget I turned 21 on November 18th, woohoo. I didn't do nothing to crazy I went to a local Indian restaurant with my parents, younger brother and sister, my older brother, his girlfriend and my niece, my nan and my boyfriend of course. I sure do love an Indian. Then on the following Saturday I hit the clubs with my mum, my brother's girlfriend and some friends it was a good night but I couldn't get drunk no matter how much I drunk and I also had a little panic attack but my brother's girlfriend who I call my sister and is my best friend got me through it and we danced the night away.

Overall 2014 was a good year for me, it's the first time in a few years that I've actually genuinely felt happy. What I want for 2015 is to get a new job, possibly on a make-up counter it would be perfect for me. I also want to lose major weight, I've never been as big as I am which is a size 14 and before long I will be a size 16 if I keep going. As people have said to me it's because I'm in love and content, and that is true but I'm not happy with the way I look, I can hardly bare to look at myself in the mirror or have my picture taken (excluding selfies of course) If it weren't for my boyfriend then I know for a fact I'd be depressed and even worse than I was in 2013 but his support and love for me keeps me going. All I want is to be a size 10-12 because I'm going to be honest I'll never be a size 8 my body is not made to be that small and besides I like to have some curves and my boyfriend does also. ;)

I think I may track my 'diet' and weight loss journey on this blog also, let me know in the comments or my social media if you want me to do so. Links are at the bottom of my post.

Here are some pictures of my 2014 for you all.

(Top row - Outside Harry Potter Tour Studios, my cousin & I in Ron's car, the model of Hogwarts. Second row - My niece minutes old, me holding my niece for the first time, my little brother and sister meeting our niece she was 2 days old, My nieces first grin for the camera she was grinning at just a couple weeks old. Third row - My niece was smiling at her granddad aka my dad, Auntie and niece time, the last 2 pictures are her on the 4th Jan. Last row - My boyfriend and I at his niece's Christening, my 21st Birthday cake my mum made me and yes that is a baby picture of me, last picture is the only girls I trust and my besties; the blonde girl is my cousin and the one I went Harry Potter with and then the brunette is my brother's girlfriend, my niece's baby mumma, my sister.)

I hope you liked this post, and if you did a post like this then be sure to leave a link in the comments so I can check out your year of 2014.

---

♥

Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Tumblr

DIY Yummy & Healthy Smoothie | #BloggersDoItBetter #2

Sorry for the lateness of this post, with Monday being a Bank Holiday I was out of my usual routine and yesterday I had unexpected plans so I couldn't write and get my post up for the 2nd challenge of #BloggersDoItBetter.. but I have it for you now, a nice smoothie. 

What you need:

A handful of kale

A handful of spinach

A handful of frozen summer fruit mix

A half of a banana

2 strawberries

A half cup of tropical juice

I had to unscrew the blender half way through blending to give it a stir and make sure everything is blended. Having smoothies is a great way to add your vegetables and fruits to your diet in a very simple but yummy and healthy way.

 The blender I use is the Kenwood Smoothie 2Go, roughly costing £30.

And here is my lunch for today which is my salad I make ALL the time, melon for after and of course the smoothie I just made.

♥

Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Tumblr

SPRING has sprung tag! | #BloggersDoItBetter Challenge #1

So today & tomorrow is the first topic of the #BloggersDoItBetter and as you can see by the title of this post that the topic is SPRING. And of course on the day I'm writing the post the weather is rainy and gloomy.. but any other day the weathers been lovely. I don't know if it's too late to join in with this challenge now but just in case you are interested to join THIS post I made explains it all and how to join. So without further ado, here is my spring post.

1. What are some spring trends you're looking forward to the most?

Floral clothing pieces is the trend I always look forward to, it's my fave. Also I'm loving the logo or shouty slogan tee's that have been everywhere. I recently bought one from BooHoo.com and it is just plain white and says #SELFIE in black writing. Lastly I'm loving the fresh short cuts everyone's doing to their hair, even though I would no way cut my hair I love my long hair.

2. Whats your favorite spring clothing piece?

Probably patterned leggings, I'm obsessed with them. You can never go wrong with leggings and what makes them better and trendier is PATTERNS. I have a little collection I'm building up haha.

3. What do you do during your spring break?

I don't attend school, college or UNI because I'm 20 and I'm done with those... it's now into the real work and that is working. Uh huh work doesn't stop for Spring Break, so I'll be working but on any days off I like to either be with my boyfriend, go visit family, friends or go for lovely walks on my own.

4. Is it warm or cold during spring where you live?

There's not much telling with how spring weather will be in the UK to be honest, some years we've had miserable weather and some has been lovely but so far we've been lucky. It's been sunny and quite warm and today is the first day it's rained.

5. Whats your favorite spring lip color?

Has to be pink, at the moment I'm loving the Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Elusive.

6. Favorite spring nail polish color?

Pastels all the way, either soft lavender/purple, baby pink or mint. A few favorites of mine are Revlon 211 Charming, Essie Fiji & MUA Pistachio Ice Cream which is a dupe for Essie Mint Candy Apple.

7. Favorite spring color?

Always purple and yellow. They're my all time favorite colors and I love them all year round, they're both very versatile colors.

8. Favorite Starbucks drink during spring?

I don't have Starbucks in my town but we have Costa and I get the same drink there as I do when I go to Starbucks which is the Mango and Passion fruit Frappuccino/blended ice.

9. Do you add color to your make-up for spring?

Not so much eye shadow because I'm lazy on an everyday basis but I would add a colorful lipstick or maybe eyeliner, it depends how I feel on the day.

10. What are you most excited about for spring 2014?

The flowers blooming and all the colors, everywhere looks lovely and also the nice chill weather.

I hope you liked this tag and also first post of the #BloggersDoItBetter Challenge. I nominate everyone who reads this to give this tag ago.

(Nail Polish Colors: Mint/Blue's L-R - Barry M Blue Moon, MUA Pistachio Ice Cream & Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Greenberry. Purple's L-R - Barry M Limited Edition Effects Lilac Foil, Revlon Charming, MUA Frozen Yoghurt, Barry M Berry Ice Cream, Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Prickly Pear & Barry M Silk Heather. Pink's L-R - MUA Natural Days, Barry M Nude, Essie Fiji, Barry M Bright Pink, Barry M Strawberry Ice Cream, Barry M Peach Melba & MUA Lush Lilac)

♥

Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Tumblr

The #BloggersDoItBetter Challenge!

You may or may not have seen a post about this #BloggersDoItBetter Challenge on your feed, but I saw it and wanted to read up on it.

It's a challenge created by Touch Of Belle where once a fortnight/every 2 weeks on a Monday & Tuesday we are given a topic to make a blog post about. We all get the same one but our posts will be different as blogs that have joined are not all the same types. For example the topic one week is Easter, then there will be posts like outfits for then, make-up looks, hairstyles, DIY's, cooking or baking, fitness ect.

If you would like to take part then leave your name and email in the comments of the original post HERE and she will contact you with all the details or you can email her touchofbelle@gmail.com with your blog  URL, name and your email  to get involved.

The first post of this will be out tomorrow or Tuesday and I'm so excited to start this as it's a good way to get involved and friendly with other bloggers. If you join in then I'll look forward to your posts in the future.

♥

Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Tumblr