September Goals

September Goals

Wednesday, 19 September 2018

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September! Oh September! I could write a love letter to this wonder, wonderful month! I know I'm probably alone in this, but I'm SO happy that summer is finally over and we're now in Autumn. Autumn is my favourite time of year. I love it! In fact,I've been so busy enjoying the past month that I haven't had a minute to sit down and write a post. But I'm back now and with a post I originally meant to upload three weeks ago. Oops. 

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Reading is, and has always been, one of my favourite ways to spend my time. From when I was a really little girl and memorised all the words to Dear Zoo so I could read it to myself, right up until I chose to do a degree in English Literature, and essentially murdered my love of reading. It’s no fun reading book you have to read! Especially when one of those books is Moby Dick! But recently I’ve read one or two INCREDIBLE books - Promising Young Women by Caroline O’Donohue, I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter and Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton -  that have completely reignited my love for reading and books. I also read a piece in The Times, cuz I’m so fancy, by Laura Freeman that was completely incredible. She argued that immersing yourself in books and art and music is actually better for mental wellbeing than meditation. And I completely agree. Meditation has never worked for me, my heads not a particularly safe place for me to be, but reading has always settled my mind, and calmed me. So for both my mental health and just my general development as a human I’m going to be hitting the books pretty hard this month. 

Up my guitar game

I've been playing guitar for over two years now and I've totally plateaued. I can play and I sound alright but I want to be really good. It doesn't help that I've let life totally got in the way of me playing, I used to play everyday for hours but lately it's more like a couple of times a week, if that. I want to learn at least one new song before the month is over, and *whisper it* try Drop D tuning. All the best songs are in Drop D. 

Book driving test 

I passed my theory test back in July and have been throwing myself into my lessons because I just want to be able to drive now! It's been two years! This is the final hurdle and I'm terrified but it's about time. 

Start packing/declutter

Big news folks! I'm moving! I'm not sure when because I'm moving into a shared house, but I'm pretty sure it will be sometime in October/November. Which means I have some serious clearing out and packing to do. Better get started! 

Gym 

I'm ashamed to admit just how long it's been since I last went to the gym. It was May. I need to go back. I sleep so much better when I'm exercising, I feel better both physically and mentally and it's just a really good thing that I need to make sure I'm doing. 

Not much new for this month, which I suppose is good because we're literally three weeks into it but they're all still worth a try and manageable. What are your September Goals? 

September Goals 2016

September Goals 2016

Tuesday, 6 September 2016

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There's something about September, and the beginning of Autumn, that feels like the world's hit it's refresh button and everything is starting anew, I think it's because September is the start of the new school year. Anyway now seemed like the perfect time to set myself some goals to work towards and really spur me on through the rest of the year. Here they are.

Post all content on time

Recently my posting has been a bit... up and down to say the least. To be completely honest a lot of stuff I've been posting has been more because I've felt obligated to, rather than me wanting to share content that I'm really passionate about and have enjoyed making. Which is why I then end up missing posts, because I'm not happy with the stuff that I've done, or I just haven't been in the mood. I'll let you in on a guilty little secret: sometimes, more often than not at the moment, I've left taking my blog photos until the very last minute, which isn't like me at all. Lately I've been feeling really uninspired and I feel like I need to get my arse in gear. The most annoying thing is that when I can't blog -  like when I was on holiday and didn't have my laptop with me or when I don't have wifi, stuff like that - then it is all I want to do and I get a ton of ideas. So obviously it's something I care about very much and want to do, it's just the doing it. This month I would like to post all my content on time, my schedule is Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, but more importantly I would like to be creating content that I love, have loved creating and that I'm proud of.

Learn to play a complete song on the guitar

I've been learning to play the guitar, and I can play a few songs, like the really easy ones, but there are a ton of songs that I can only play individual parts of and not all once, so they don't actually sound anything like the way their supposed to. Luckily it turns out I absolute love playing the guitar, I've been practising for hours everyday. So I'm really excited to try and add some more complex songs to my repertoire, and more importantly, to be able to play them the whole way through!

Change stone bracket

I'm back on the Slimming World wagon, and have lost 10 pounds! Whoop whoop! But I do still have quite a way to go until I reach my target. This month I want to change my stone bracket so I see a completely different number when I get on the scales. I think that will give me a real boost and spur me on to get closer to my target weight.

Do interval training on treadmill 

When my fitness programme was first set up I tried really hard, and I mean really hard, not only to impress my personal trainer, but to prove to myself that I could. That kind of ended up backfiring, because the interval training that I've been put on is really, really hard. It's 12 minutes long and those 12 minutes are impossible and so painful. I've never managed more than 8 minutes of it. Although I think that's partly because I am so sure I can't do it that I end up standing in my own way a bit. I'd really like to get over this hump just so I can say I did.

Post first Youtube video

I have been saying I want to start youtubing for years, but every time I have sat down and got my camera all set up to film I just freeze. I've done dress rehearsals where it's gone perfectly but the minute I turn the camera on I completely freak out. Completely! It is ridiculous! I think it's because it's quite a scary thing to put yourself out there on the internet, and that is all I can think about, when I'm staring into the lens of my camera and trying desperately to remember what it is that I wanted to say. I do have some footage, but it's full of so many 'umms' and 'ahhs' that it's unusable. I just need to get over the inevitable awkwardness of my first video and just get it done!

What are your goals for the month? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter, 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

September 2015 Favourites

September 2015 Favourites

Sunday, 18 October 2015

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What with my dissertation being due in and being ill, September flew by in a stress filled blur. I'm so glad it's over! Now I can get to the very serious business of enjoying October. Who doesn't love Autumn? With it's crisp, cool mornings, the leaves changing colour and hot chocolate with marshmallows. It's my favourite time of year (read more about that here) but enough about that. Let's talk about my very, very late September favourites shall we?

MAC Matte Lipstick in D is for Danger - £15.50 from MAC 

During the dissertation madness I went a bit OTT on the MAC website (haul post to follow) and, somehow, D for Danger found it's merry way into my basket. A  rich berry shade that looks stunning on, is long lasting and absolutely perfect for this time of year, it has quickly become my go to for berry lips, and we all know how much I love a berry lip! The formula does tend towards the drier side of things but it sticks around for hours without needing to be re-applied and is just all kinds of beautiful.

L'Oreal La Palette Nude in Rose - £14.99 from Boots

I was super excited when this was released last year and I think I used it maybe once before it was relegated to the back of the make up drawer in favour of other, more neutral, pallets. But recently I've found myself reaching for it more and more. And I think it's due to the two matte, lilac-y, pink-y, brown shades (on the right in the first picture) and the dusky lilac (centre in the second)

These are a total departure from the silvery, taupey bronzes that I rock on a pretty much daily basis; but they just look so pretty and subtle on the lid. The shadows themselves are lovely: buttery soft, easy to blend and nicely pigmented, with no creasing on the lid. I can see myself getting a lot more use out of this pallet. It's rather fabulous. 

No 7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser - No longer available but No 7 do have a very similar Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser for £9.95 at Boots

This cleanser is amazing! I mentioned it a few weeks back in my Weekly Round Up (read it here) and I'm still loving it. I love that it's a hot cloth cleanser. Lying back and resting a hot muslin cloth on my face is just sooooooooo relaaaaaaxing. It feels so luxurious and pampering to just sit back and let the hot cloth work it's magic for 5 minutes.  It thoroughly cleanses the skin whilst still being really gentle, and being hypo-allergenic it's even suitable for those of us with sensitive skin. I really like it.

Real Techniques Duo-Fibre Face Brush - as part of the Nic's Picks Collection, £23.37 from Amazon

I'm actually a big of the entire collection (expect a full review soon) but have been reaching for the Duo-Fibre face brush on a daily basis. It is a dream for applying powder products without looking cakey, it just makes for a really nice light-weight application for a flawless finish. Personally,  I love it for bronzer and contouring because it doesn't pick up too much pigment, so I can really build up ny contour/bronzer when applying, but it's almost impossible to go over the top. Well done Pixiwoo! You've done it again! 

Les Misérables - booking information available here

Me, my brother & sister surprised my mum by taking her to see Les Mis as part of her birthday present, and it was incredible! I'd seen it before but it was so  amazing to see it again. Especially because I knew how much my mum wanted to see it and how excited she was. It was incredible the first time I saw it, but it was even better the second time around. I love it, it's such an amazing show. And yes before you ask I spent most of the show in tears, because of course I did!

Sorry this is so late, for some reason I thought I'd already posted this, but obviously not. What were your September Favourites? She asks halfway through October! 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 - and pinterest for updates.

Love love love xxx

Belated Super August September Favourites

Belated Super August September Favourites

Sunday, 9 November 2014

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So I thought August and September were hectic months, I have since learnt how very wrong I was, but I was busy. So busy in fact that I never got round to posting either of my favourites for those months. Well all that’s about to change with my Belated Super August September Favourites. Just in time for me to be late with my October Favourites (Sorry :S I can’t stress how manic life has been of late.) So grab yourselves a cup of tea, maybe some cake, cake is always highly recommended, and let's DO this!

First things first August...

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation in Light Beige

Real Techniques Complexion Sponge

For the first couple of weeks in August my skin was really behaving itself so I was all about the light coverage and the Bourjois Healthy Mix is amazing for that. It felt so nice and light on the skin, like I wasn’t wearing any make up at all, and gave me dewy, barely there coverage whilst evening out my skin tone and covering any redness. The consistency is quite watery so I found that the best way to apply this was with a damp Real Techniques Complexion Sponge (which I also love)because it gave a really natural, even finish. A winning combination. 

The Body Shop Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow and Body Mist 

I have a lot of trouble sleeping, particularly in the summer time when it’s too hot and humid to get comfortable but this is an absolute God send. Containing ingredients known for their powers in aiding deep and restful sleep. The spray is so soothing and relaxing that I can’t help but fall into an easy sleep, plus it smells incredible. For me it's a bedtime staple.

Travel Candle in Primrose & Peony by Sainsburys. 

I always find it really hard to describe how something smells other than good or bad, to my mind it's impossible but I'll have a whack at it. This candle has a really light, floral scent that smells gorgeous. It really fills a room, quite surprising for such a tiny candle, without being at all overpowering and the tin it comes in is ridiculously cute.  It's my new favourite.

 Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Stick in 011 Bluffing

Swatch of Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Stick in 011 Bluffing (that's Barry M's Chai on my nails just fyi)

I was absolutely obsessed with this throughout August as it literally halved my make up time in the mornings. The formula is really long lasting, easily blendable and gives the simplest smokey eye effect in the biz. (sorry I’m not sure what happened there). I just swipe it on, blend it out with either my finger or the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush then finish the look with lashings of mascara and I’m done. It’s so simple but so effective and takes seconds. 

No 7 Pop & Glow Cream Stick Blush in Watermelon and the Real Techniques Stippling Brush.

No 7 Pop & Glow Cream Stick Blush  & the Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Real Techniques Stippling Brush.

Swatches of No 7 Pop & Glow Cream Stick Blush in Watermelon blended out and straight from the stick.

Whilst this blush looks almost violently red in the stick it blends out to be the prettiest rosy pink. Normally I'm so wary of cream blushes thinking that they don't really last but this has some serious staying power and it's so effortless to apply. I just dot it on to my cheeks, press it into the skin using the Real Techniques Stippling Brush and then finish off by blending it out with my fingers and voila glowy, rosy cheeks in seconds. Amazing.

Soap & Glory Blush Brick in Love At First Glow 

Another blush, I love me a good blusher, I was so worried about using this because I didn’t want to ruin something so beautiful BUT my fears have since been assuaged.  Now when it comes to blushes I’m not really a fan of a shimmery finish,  I like dewy, rosy cheeks but too much shimmer and I look like an unsuccessful drag queen. HOWEVER this blush is shimmery in all the right ways. The colour is lovely, the packaging is nice and the blush itself is stunning. It makes me look and feel all freshfaced and glowy, it's become a firm favourite.

Nude Progenius Omega Treatment Oil 

I got this in August’s Birchbox and have been using it religiously ever since, whilst I find serums kind of scary this one is so hydrating and feels glorious on the skin. I like it a lot. 

MAC Maleficent Eyeshadow Quad: clockwise from top left Goldmine, Ground Brown, Carbon and Concrete. 

Oh this eyeshadow quad filled with it's lovely, lovely eyeshadows. I got this back in August after seeing Maleficent and despite my rather mixed feelings towards the movie (read more about that here) my feelings for this quad are clear. I love it. Whilst the colours are more on the neutral side and not particularly Maleficent-y (I was expecting some dramatic purples, maybe a turquoise) they are really wearable, have a beautiful, buttery soft texture and last ages without creasing. Amazing. 

That brings me to September...

L-R: P.S Love Your Nails Nail Polish Twist Pot, MUA Eyeshadow Pallet in Heaven & Earth, Collection Gothic Glam Lipstick in 1 Seduction, Rimmel Match Perfection in 200 Soft Beige, Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub and Japonesque Salon Collection Precision Tweezers. 

Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub 

About halfway through August my skin went crazy and by crazy I mean horrible. It was congested and gross and there were blackheads galore. BUT since adding this scrub to my morning skin routine there has been a noticeable improvement in my skin. Whilst it doesn’t make blackheads magically disappear overnight (I wish it did) it reduces the appearance of them and clears clogged pores to stop new ones from forming. 

MUA Heaven & Earth Eyeshadow Pallette

I had this pallet for a long old time and when I finally hit pan I rushed out to Superdrug in a mad panic to get a new one. Why was I in such a panic? Because it's fantastic that's why! The pallette is made up of 12 shadows, mostly shimmers but with a few mattes thrown in for luck. The colours are lovely and the pay off is good, they also last really well which is awesome. The texture isn't the best, being slightly on the chalky side, but what can be expected for £4.00. I particularly love the middle three shades on the bottom row and have been using them on an almost daily basis. I love it. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 200 Soft Beige

Throughout September when my skin was at it's absolute worst I was reaching for this on a daily basis. When I first got it I was a bit unsure about it (read more about it here), I liked it but I had others that were better. But the more I used it the more I loved it. It gives good coverage without being cakey in anyway and feels so lovely against the skin. It also lasts ages and is so nice to apply, it just blends into the skin so easily. 

 P.S. Love Your Nails Nail Polish Twist Pot (Primark)

This is a clearly a dupe of Bourjois' Magic Nail Polish Remover and at £1 is literally a fraction of the cost. When I first got the twist pot I didn't like it at all, it felt so weird on my fingers and it just made me feel a bit squeamish. But since then I've come round to it, because it is so convenient. I have three of these on the go at the moment, one on my desk at home, one at my mum's and one on my desk at work. For someone like me who's constantly switching up my nail colour the twist pot is an absolute God send, it makes taking nail polish off so quick and easy. You just pop your nails in and twist. Done. 

 Collection Gothic Glam Lipstick in the shade 1 Seduction 

This is definitely a contender for the title of my favouritest lipstick ever, quite the statement I know, especially coming from a lipstick fanatic such as myself.  But it's beautiful and at £2.99 it's a fricking steal. Seduction was released last year as part of Collection's Gothic Glam (for lack of a better word) collection The colour is beautiful, the perfect autumnal berry shade, the formula is nice enough, not particularly moisturising or long lasting but what can one expect for £2.99. It's the colour that wins it for me. I love it. 

 Japonesque Salon Collection Precision Tweezers

I picked these up in T.K. Maxx ages ago for something ridiculous like £4.99 and have been using them religiously ever since. I try not to pluck my eyebrows too much, after years of overplucking in my misspent youth but the less said about that the better. Hands down they are the best tweezers I've ever used. They're sharp which means I can get even the tiniest of hairs, it also means they have great precision so I don't end up plucking hairs I shouldn't. They're also turquoise and glittery which I think is amazing. Winner. 

So those were my favourites for the months of August and September. It feels like a million years ago now, well not quite.... Anyway I promise my October Favourites will be up before the end of the year ;) 

Have you tried any of these amaze products? What did you think? Love them? Hate them? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below (I always try to reply so check back) or by dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest. You know if you want to :). 

Well that was incredibly long and rambly, so if you stuck with it to the end then thank you and be sure to check back on Tuesday for my next post.

Until then...

Love love love xxx