June

June

Wednesday, 5 June 2019

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Here we go again. A new month means new goals doesn’t it? Doesn’t it?! Usually, yes, but not this month. This month I’ll be doing something entirely different. This month I’m just going to let myself be. 

Lately, I've been experiencing what I can only assume is burn out, or a close approximation of. I'm tired, lads, really tired. And it's all the time. Now I could say that I’m going to focus on myself and go to the gym five times a week, get eight hours of sleep every night, while eating all my vegetables and nothing else, but I’m not going to. Because that in itself is pressure I don’t need.

I don’t need to feel bad about myself for not going to the gym, for choosing to lie on my bed, whilst probably eating a Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer and ignoring an episode of Game of Thrones to scroll through instagram instead. I don’t need to feel bad about myself.  Full stop. Whether that’s for not doing things I’ve said I’m going to do or just in general. I don’t need it.

The truth is I'm not very good at relaxing, every moment I have is dedicated to something, whether it's this or my youtube channel or my actual job, my brain is always whirring. I am always doing something. I need to get comfortable doing nothing. Even if it doesn't come naturally to me. 

So this month I will be reminding myself that it’s okay not to aim for something. It’s okay to let myself be and not strive for a goal. The world won’t end if I give myself a break and just stop beating myself up for not being who I want to be or not being good enough. Even if it’s just for a moment. It’s okay. I’ll be okay. I hope you are too.

Have a good month x

June Goals

June Goals

Sunday, 10 June 2018

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I've got quite a few goals this month, so instead of banging on about how fast this year is going - I don't want to think about it! - I'm just gonna dive in. Swimming caps and goggles at the ready!

Appreciate things more

For the last couple of months I've been feeling... stuck. And it's a rubbish feeling. I've realised recently that  I'm in almost the exact same position I was when I was 17. I still live with my mum, I'm still single, not that that matters but yeah, I still can't drive and somedays I feel really trapped. It's a shitty feeling, and lately it's kind of taken over my entire life. The absolute WORST thing about it, is that it's so reductive. It basically reduces all of my achievements from the past 10 years to nothing, and I've done a lot in the last 10 years. I've done a lot in the last 10 months. But when I get down, and I think it's pretty obvious that I'm feeling a bit down at the moment, I tend to focus on all the negatives, but there are lots of positive things in my life. I have a good job, I have a place to live, a wonderful family, good friends, and an amazing yet completely ridiculous dog. I'm very lucky, and I need to start acknowledging that, becauseI really think it would make me feel a lot better about the things I'm not so happy about.

Take a break

Or should I say give myself a break. I’m really tired, and instead of giving myself time to rest and recover I get all stressed and put a load of pressure on myself to get shit done. Then I get even more stressed and tired, which makes me useless and nothing gets done! Basically,  I’m a nightmare human, and I really struggle to relax. What I really need, I think, is a week on a beach with my kindle! There’s an idea...

Declutter/ Destress

At the beginning of the year I made it my mission to declutter, and rid myself of everything that was weighing me down. I got rid of so much stuff, and it felt amazing! But lately that’s all fallen by the wayside and stuff has been creeping back in. I think a good sort out is definitely in order.

Redecorate  

When I finished uni - three years ago now, eeek! - I moved in to my step-dad’s man cave at my mum’s house. It was supposed to be a temporary situation while I saved up for my own place, but it’s become more permanent than I’d like, and the room is still very much a man cave - it has textured wallpaper, for fucks sake! - except with my stuff in. My mission this month is to strip and plaster the walls, ready for painting, and rip up the carpet. It’s going to be hard work but I’m actually quite excited! 

Book theory test

Purely for the reason that I can’t complain about not being able to drive if I still haven’t booked my theory, let alone passed it. This has to be a priority! 

Get more sleep

I'm exhausted. I'm never not exhausted. Don't really have much to add to this one.


What are your goals for this month? xxx

June Non-Beauty Favourites 2015

June Non-Beauty Favourites 2015

Thursday, 2 July 2015

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I had so many Non-Beauty Favourites this month that I thought they really deserved their own post. So let's talk Non-Beauty Faves!

Pitch Perfect 2

I love this film! I kinda thought I would because I was already a huge fan of the first one, and obviously the insane girl crush on Anna Kendrick continues, but I was surprised by how much I liked it.  It's so funny, it has some really amazing music in it and is all about the girl power. It's awesome, and really stands up alongside the first film. Roll on Pitch Perfect 3! This brings me to my next favourite...

Crazy Youngsters by Ester Dean

I am obsessed with the Pitch Perfect 2 soundtrack, obvs, but this song is one of my absolute favourites from it. I've been listening to it pretty much constantly because it gets me so PUMPED! If I went to the gym (I'm working on it) this would be my new favourite work out song. I seriously love it. 

Wish I Was Here

I've been a massive Zach Braff fan for years and Wish I Was Here has been on my to watch list for ages but I'd just never got round to watching it. Well I finally did and it's fantastic! It's funny, bittersweet and completely heartbreaking with a terrific soundtrack. It has a fabulous cast including the incredible Kate Hudson and the so-talented-she-makes-me-feel-like-I-need-to-get-my-shit-together Joey King as Braff's daughter Grace. Plus if you're a Scrubs fan, like me, there are loads of cameos from former cast members. It's such a good film, definitely give it a watch if you're a fan of funny, awesome, indie movies or Zach Braff. You know what just watch it. 

99 Days by Katie Cotugno

I was a HUGE fan of Cotugno's first book How to Love, it's actually one of my favourites, so I was desperate to get my hands on her latest offering and I'm happy to say that it is fantastic! 99 Days is about Molly, a young girl who has returned home for the summer after escaping to boarding school a year earlier. Before she went away Molly had been in a relationship with this guy Patrick for years, they had grown up together and everything was great until the day they broke up and she slept with his very handsome older brother Gabe. To make matters oh so much worse Molly's mother, who I hated btw, is a famous novelist and wrote a book about the whole thing. After returning to her small home town over a year later Molly has to survive 99 days of summer and the wrath of Patrick and his bitchy sister Julia before she can leave for college and never look back. Luckily handsome Gabe is also home for the summer to make things a bit better. Now I really, really loved this book, I also had a bit of a crush on Gabe but that's beside the point, it's heartfelt and very moving and really highlights society's hypocrisy of applauding guys and shaming girls when it comes to sex. It's a fabulous, fabulous book and I will be reading it again very soon. 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Speaking of fabulous books... I've had The Rosie Project on my kindle for ages but hadn't had the chance to read it so when my lectures finished for the summer and I had a bit more time for reading this was the first book I reached for and I loved it. The Rosie Project is about Don Tillman, a geneticist with Aspergers Syndrome who has no idea that he is on the Autistic Spectrum, who after a series of disastrous dates starts 'the wife project' in order to meet his perfect match. Instead he meets Rosie, a bar maid who brings chaos into his neatly ordered world. For any Big Bang Theory fans out there this is very much a love story told by a Sheldon Cooper-esque figure. It's excellent, well written, very funny and actually quite sweet,  the best part  though is the fact that it's the first in a series and the sequel The Rosie Effect is really good as well. 

What were your Non-Beauty Favourites? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

*Disclaimer* I own all images except for those of  Pitch Perfect 2, Wish I Was Here & the music video for Crazy Youngsters. All media used for entertainment purposes only. Images/Videos Via, Via, Via

June Favourites 2014

June Favourites 2014

Sunday, 6 July 2014

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Welcome to my first ever Favourites post. I know, I know I'm a bit late in the day to be posting about my June Favourites what with it being 6 days into July and all, but hey ho (I can't decide if I'm a Dwarf, a Ramone or a Lumineer, 5 Points to anyone who found that funny) I thought I'd post one anyway.

MAC Pot in Woodwinked

I am obsessed with MAC. This is my favourite eyeshadow. It's such a beautiful bronzey-gold colour that is super pigmented and really long lasting. It doesn't crease at all and in my opinion is the perfect eyeshadow. I am obsessed with it. 

Nivea Daily Essentials 2in1 Cleanser & Toner

I first mentioned this a couple of weeks back and have been using it on a daily basis ever since. It takes all my make up off really quickly, it smells lovely and feels beautiful on the skin. I definitely recommend it. It's a 2in1, which I was originally quite skeptical of, but it's super handy. It has knocked about 10 minutes off my make up removal time and is travel friendly. I will definitely be repurchasing when I run out. 

Revlon Lash Potion

I've had this for about a year and have used it sporadically, using it for a week at a time before going back to MAC Ultimate Black Opulash or Rimmel Scandal Eyes. But recently this has been my go to mascara. It has a plastic brush that curls, lengthens and volumises the lashes. It's also proven it's merits as a waterproof mascara, making it all the way through The Fault in our Stars without budging. which, given the amount I cried, is super impressive. Plus the packaging is really gorgeous. 

Modern Muse by Estée Lauder.

It is so hard to describe a fragrance to someone if they haven't actually smelt it, All I can really say is it's gorgeous. I have been trying to ration this as it smells so unbelievably beautiful and I don't want to run out too quickly. 

L'Occitane Provence Hand Cream in Passionate Jasmine 

Hand cream is a handbag staple of mine. I keep a tube in every bag I have so that I am never without it. Usually I have 4 or 5 on the go at any given time and out of all those this is one of my favourites - alongside Soap & Glory's Hand Food. - The formula is really hydrating and it smells really nice. The packaging is really cute, especially the daisy lid. I really like it.

Mac Blush in Dame

This is the world's greatest blusher. It is so perfect that were this blusher a person it would be Tom Hiddleston, yes I'm talking about that level of perfection. If I could only wear one blusher for the rest of my life it could only be this one. If I had to sacrifice all other make up in favour for just one product this would be the survivor. It is THAT good. The colour is the perfect pink, giving the cheeks a healthy, rosy glow. I love it. 

Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner

My lips have been really dry of late and nothing was helping, and then I found this buried in the back of a drawer and remembered exactly how amazing it is. It is intensely moisturising and left my lips feeling really smooth and hydrated. I love it.

Barry M Hi Shine Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint inElderflower

This is my absolute favourite summer polish. Part of Barry M's lastest summer collection Elderflower is a beautiful pale blue with smokey grey undertones. As a general rule pastels don't really suit me, what me having a skin tone that can best be described as pale and interesting, but even against my ghostly pallor this looks gorgeous. 

Heel Genius by Soap & Glory

I have been using this religiously to make sure my feet are ready for flip flop season and it is awesome. Containing, among other things, fruit acid smoothers that have left my feet feeling really soft and smooth. Soap & Glory is one of my favourite brands and this is another winner from them. Heel Genius is really moisturising and soothing on the skin. It's so good.

No 7 Beautiful Skin Blemish Defence Serum

This is Heaven, in serum form. I bought this about a month ago when my skin was at it's absolute worst and it has worked wonders on my face. I've been using it daily for the past month or so and since then my skin has been clearer and breakouts have been few and far between. At £16.00 it's a bit pricey -I only paid £11, I love those £5.00 off No 7 vouchers - but so worth it. It clears the skin, reduces pores whilst preventing spots and feels lovely and silky on the skin. I have really sensitive skin so I love the fact that it's hypo-allergenic. It's brilliant. 

Quick Fix Facials Purifying Charcoal Mask forCongested and Lifeless Skin.

It's no secret that over the last couple of months my skin has been terrible, mostly due to stress. I think nothing makes me feel worse than having bad skin. Blackheads are the absolute bane of my existence because they are a nightmare to get rid of. This mask is amazing! I use it whenever my skin is feeling all congested and gross, or whenever I have a breakout of blackheads and it is amazing. It clears the skin, makes pores look smaller and is just all round amazing. I am in love with it. 

I am so sorry this is late. I've been a bit useless this week I know. I've had a really busy week at work and there's been a lot of stuff going on with my family that has demanded my attention but hopefully I will be back on track from next week. If all goes accordingly that is. 

So until then check out my twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest because they are awesome - if I do say so myself! ;)

Love love love xxx

Inside my first ever BirchBox!

Inside my first ever BirchBox!

Sunday, 29 June 2014

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Happy Sunday! I thought I would sneak in an extra post this week because yesterday I got my first ever Birchbox and I am super excited about it! I have been wanting to subscribe to BirchBox for ages but couldn't justify a monthly spend of £12.95 when I was surviving week to week on just a tenner. Being back at work I decided the time was ripe to subscribe. Believe me I am so ridiculously happy that I did.

So I woke up yesterday morning to find this box of joy waiting for me and was absolutely delighted, so delighted in fact that in my haste I wound up kicking the door  and taking a massive chunk out of my toe. Ouchies! Whoever said beauty is pain was right. Luckily I recovered and quickly tore into my BirchBox, like a tiny child (or me) on Christmas morning, and this is what I found in there.

(How cute is the packaging?)

Benefit They're Real Mascara.

Now I am no stranger to the modern icon that is Benefit They're Real mascara, I was already quite the fan when I opened my BirchBox and saw this languishing in there (you can imagine how excited I was!) There is a lot of divided opinion when it comes to They're Real, it seems to be the Marmite of mascaras. You either love it or you hate it with no inbetween. Having said that it is the number 1 selling mascara in the UK and for good reason. Personally I love it. I think it's the ultimate multitasker: curling, lengthening, volumising, lifting and separating the lashes (lifting and separating makes it sound like a bra? No? Just me? Okay.) Whilst the brush does look something like a medieval instrument of torture it is precisely this that means even the shortest and most hard to reach lashes get a coating of mascara. The only slight issue I have with this mascara is the formula which dries a bit rubbery and takes hours to take off. Other than that I love it and am so glad I've got another one. 

Silk + Honey Shea Butter Hair Mask

I had never come across Silk + Honey before, but after a quick Google search I discovered that it is an all natural brand specialising in luxury, DIY products. From what I can gather the products arrive in self assembly kits containing all the ingredients to create them youself. The range includes a Shea Butter Hairmask, an Anti-Aging Hand Cream, a Natural Lip Gloss & a shimmering Body Cream.  Anyway BirchBox have cut out out the middle man and sent a 50 ml sample of the ready made hairmask. I haven't tried it out yet but the consistency is really think and creamy and it smells like roses. It does have an expiration date so I'm sure I will be posting a review soon. 

O.P.I Nail Lacquer in You're So Flippy Floppy from The Brazil Collection

My love of O.P.I Nail Lacquers is no secret, in my vast and never ending nail polish collection I have 14 from O.P.I. So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I found this in my BirchBox. I was over the moon. You're So Flippy Floppy is a really lovely, glittery, sunshine yellow, textured polish that instantly conjures the image of the exotic and tropical sands of Brazil. Whilst yellow is not the first colour I would usually reach for when I do my nails this one is really summery and pretty and I'm sure I will be trying it out soon. I'm hoping to get some swatches up on instagram during the week so keep an eye out for those. 

Caudalie Vinoperfect Broad Spectrum SPF15 Day Perfecting Fluid

Caudalie is a french brand that I haven't really come across before and is another luxury brand that uses all natural ingredients in their products  I received a 10ml sample of their Vinoperfect Broad Spectrum SPF15 Day Perfecting Fluid  which according to my estimate is roughly worth £9.50 ( I could be wrong. Maths is not my thing). Containing extract of Grapevine Shoot, Cassia Angustifolia Seed (I'm not too sure what this is, I'll be honest) and a whole list of other lovely natural ingredients this multitasking moisturiser has an oil free formula that promises to moisturise, correct and perfect and acts as a really good primer for makeup (according to the website that is.) Now I haven't tried it on my face yet so I can't say if it actually does all that it says it will. However I have swatched it on the back of my hand and I can tell you that it feels really nice on the skin and smells lovely. It also has the appearance of a tinted moisturiser (it isn't but it looks like one) and acts as a really subtle highlighter leaving dewy looking skin. I can't wait to test it out for real. 

Naobay Body Radiance Lotion 

Another brand that I had never heard of before - honestly this BirchBox has opened up a whole new world of beauty to me! - But after some quick click work I found out that Naobay is short for Natural And Organic Beauty And You which I kind of love, and once again specialises in products made primarily from natural and organic ingredients. Containing Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil and Aloe Vera the Body Radiance Lotion promises to repair and protect from 'external aggressions' (that's a direct quote from the website btw) whilst intensely hydrating the skin. I tested it out this morning and what I can say is that it is really moisturising and smells really lemony which was quite refreshing, it does err on the side of lemongrass which makes me think of Thai food, so maybe not the best scent for a moisturiser. But the full size packaging is really cool. 

BirchBox Brazil Key Ring

As an added extra I got this Brazil inspired flipflop keyring. Apparently Birchbox had a Brazil theme this month due to some kind of sportsing event taking place.I'll be honest I am useless when it comes to all things sports related but how cute is this flip flop keyring?  It's already on my keys. I love it. 

I'm not sure if you can still subscribe for the June Birchbox, I'm gonna assume you can't what with it being the 29th and there being only one day left of June. But if you want to subscribe for next month, and I stongly recommend that you do, then you can do so here.

I hope you've enjoyed my sneaky, secret post this week, I loved my BirchBox and couldn't wait to share it with all of you. Anywho I will be back tomorrow with the third in my Hopeless Romantic series - yes it's now a series - where I will be listing my favourite book couples. If you haven't yet you can check out the first two Hopeless Romantic posts here and here. Until then I am all over every possible social media site so feel free to check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest. 

Love love love xxx