February Goals 2019

February Goals 2019

Wednesday, 6 February 2019

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A new month (FINALLY! January lasted forever) means new goals. I didn't set any goals last month because I made the decision that instead of a laundry list of resolutions I was just going to let myself be. Yes, there are things I want to achieve, but ultimately my main goal for this month, this year, this life is to accept myself, warts and all, because it's something I should have done a long time ago. 

The Art of the Everyday Bold Lip

The Art of the Everyday Bold Lip

Wednesday, 30 January 2019

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Lipstick could be called the great love of my life, it’s right up there, second only to music, as one of my favouritest things and I wear it every single day. As a result I have very strong opinions on what makes a good lipstick - matte, long-lasting, pigmented, comfortable -  but more importantly in my 7-year lipstick wearing career I've learned a thing or two about how to get the best out of it. See below.

Beauty Rediscoveries

Beauty Rediscoveries

Wednesday, 23 January 2019

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There are few things I enjoy more than stumbling across things I’ve forgotten I love. Whether it’s a song, book, podcast or, in this case, beauty product(s), I just love that feeling of rediscovery. It’s almost as satisfying as drinking a cup of tea while it’s still hot, which I never manage to do.

How To Read More

How To Read More

Wednesday, 16 January 2019

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Read more is probably one of my most frequently set monthly goals. Because I love reading, always have, and I just don’t do it enough. It’s a story I’ve told time and time again. Reading was my passion, two English degrees killed that passion - don’t study what you love kids! - and, in the four years (!) since I graduated, I’ve desperately tried to claw it back, but try as I might I just couldn’t seem to get in the right mindset to read more and incorporate reading into my everyday life. For something that used to be completely effortless for me, it’s been really hard work. But finally, FINALLY, I’ve cracked it and am reading more than I have in years. Here’s how: 

Accountability

Having a book club with my best friend has been amazingly helpful to get both of us back into reading. It works really well as we love the same kinds of books - trashy crime thrillers mainly - and have a soft spot for pretty books. We also don’t trust people who say they don’t read and both of us organised our bookshelves by colour, something that is aesthetically pleasing, outrageously statisfying and completely useless! Anyway, having that accountability to another person is a great motivator to get reading. Plus spending an hour or two talking about books over hot chocolate and millionaire’s shortbread is a delightful use of time. It’s the best! 

Consciously choose to do it, and then do it

Firstly, I must apologies for that particularly wanky phrasing, I couldn’t think of a better way of framing it. Let me explain, I was listening to The High Low, my fave podcast, when Pandora Sykes was asked how she read so much and her response was brilliant. She basically said that people have the attention span to carry out whatever task they need to do, including reading, and that it just comes down to being aware of your distractions - phones,  music, social media etc -  so you can minimise them. I’m notorious for trying to read and listen to music at the same time and sometimes I can concentrate on what I’m reading, but more often than not I can’t. I’m also really terrible for taking out my kindle and then playing on my phone. It’s so easy to get distracted. So when I say choose to read I mean getting rid of all distractions - phone, music, food, whatever - so I can focus entirely on my book. It’s infuriating that it works but it does. 

Make time

I managed to read 22 books in the second half of last year purely by reading on my commute. Instead of spending my bus journey pointlessly scrolling through Instagram, I’d get a book out instead. Also when filling my hot water bottle. That’s an oddly specific time that’s probably not applicable to everyone. I really feel the cold, guys! But if you, like me, are a cross between a young grandma and a lizard and take a hot water bottle to bed with you too, then this is a great time to read. It takes roughly 10 minutes for me to fill and boil the kettle twice so my hot water bottle gets full. You can do a lot of reading in 10 minutes. Just sayin’. I think the most important thing to remember is that there are definitely pockets of dead time that aren’t being used effectively, you just need to find them. Reading before bed is also a great shout, for loads of reasons, it helps you sleep, it’s relaxing, and, my personal favourite, it’s cosy af!

Audiobooks

Personally, I prefer reading to audiobooks. However, that’s not to say I don’t love an audiobook every now and then. Because I do. I think they’re a great way to get through a lot of books in a short space of time. They’re basically a podcast but longer! They’re also great if you’re on a particularly busy tube, feeling lazy and/or reading more than one book at a time, which is how I tend to use them. They’re also good for when I’m at work and not really in the mood for either music or podcasts. Side note: I’m currently listening to Jog On by Bella Mackie, it’s excellent! and she has such a soothing voice. 

Hopefully these will help you read more if you’re struggling. Let me know if you have any book recommendations! Xxx

Current Skincare Loves

Current Skincare Loves

Wednesday, 9 January 2019

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Me and my skin have been on quite the whirlwind adventure* these past five years. We’ve had our ups and downs, mostly downs to be honest, adult acne, clogged pores, sensitivity and a complexion that can't decide if it'd rather be too dry or too oily. But now, finally, I’ve struck the right balance between my skincare and medication and my skin is looking good. I’m still prone to a spot or two, currently rocking four right now, hiding behind my fringe. But for the most part my skin is generally clear and smooth now, and these products are playing their part in keeping it that way.

*It was a pretty shit adventure

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Designed to quench thirsty skin Origins Drink Up Mask has been a lifesaver for my parched chops this winter. Something of a cult classic in the online beauty community, and for good reason, Drink Up contains a host of natural ingredients - including avocado oil, Japanese seaweed and apricot kernel oil - that hydrate the skin, replenish it's moisture reserves, and repair the barrier function to prevent further dehydration and premature ageing. If that wasn't enough, it also protects the skin from pollutants and environmental damage, and is paraben- and sulphate-free. It's probably the most hardworking face mask I own, and I've got quite few... I bloody love the stuff.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Be warned this stuff is intense. It stings like a mofo and it makes you look like Red Skull from Captain America, but it is the best chemical exfoliator that I’ve come across and the results are more than worth it. Whilst it has a very scary, science-y sounding name, it's essentially an exfoliating facial in a bottle. It's formulated with Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids that basically feed on dead skin cells. Sounds gross - it is -but it's worth it. Other ingredients include Tasmanian pepperberry to reduce irritation from the acid, vitamin B5 to aid healing and black carrot, which acts as an antioxidant. It's also cruelty-free, suitable for vegans and free from silicones, alcohol and oil.  I use it once a week and it has left me with a brighter, clearer and smoother complexion. Plus, at £6.25, it is a total bargain!

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

Similar to my beloved Pixi Glow Tonic, and just a fraction of the cost, this toner has quickly become a firm favourite. Containing slightly more Glycolic Acid than the Glow Tonic, which only contains 5%, this solution refines and mildly exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. It also contains ginseng and aloe vera to soothe and Tasmanian pepperberry to prevent irritation. Like most of The Ordinary's products, it's incredibly effective and incredibly cheap which means its a  nightmare to get hold of, but boy is it worth it once you do. It even comes with a twisty lid, which is very satisfying to play with.

Ren Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream 

Towards the end of last year my skin became super sensitive, becoming inflamed and red at the slightest change in my make up or skincare routines. It seems to have passed now but I still don't know what caused it, probably just general winteryness. Anyway during that time Ren's Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream was one of the only things I could put on my skin without it reacting. The Global Protection Day Cream is a really gentle and lightweight moisturiser, designed especially for reactive skin. It's formulated to soothe, hydrate, strengthen and even 'train' sensitive skin to become less reactive. And it totally works. My skin is so much better.

La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

An oldie but a goodie, La Roche Posay's Cicaplast Baume is one of my absolute favourite skincare items. A bit of a nifty multi-tasker, Cicaplast is an intense hydrating balm, designed to aid recovery from chemical peels and soothe irritated skin. It has a non-sticky gel texture that absorbs into the skin almost instantly, and is formulated with a ‘mineral complex’ including zinc, copper and manganese which have anti-bacterial properties. It's a great moisturiser, and also works really, really well as a primer, but it really shines when you have a cold and you get a flaky, chapped nose. Hence, why I love this bad boy so much. 

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil Facial 

I do love a facial oil, but they do tend to be on the pricier side of things.  Enter Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil, one of the best high-street offerings that I've come across. Packed with cocoa butter, retinol and vitamin C to intensely hydrate and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It has a silky, non-greasy texture that is fast absorbing and packs a serious punch in the hydration stakes, it leaves my skin glowy and juicy-looking. Plus, it's  hypoallergenic, paraben-free and cheap as chips. Love it! 

New Year, New Me? No thanks

New Year, New Me? No thanks

Wednesday, 2 January 2019

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Hello! And welcome to my first post of 2019. How are you? It's been a while! I hope everyone had a lovely festive time and are ready to take this year by the horns and make some magic happen. I know I am.

True Crime Podcasts I’m OBSESSED With

True Crime Podcasts I’m OBSESSED With

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

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’Tis the season to be jolly! Fa la la la la and all that! BUT, forever being a contrarian, I’m not quite ready for all this festiviness. It just feels too early in the year, and I don’t feel like I made the most of Halloween. I didn’t even watch Hocus Pocus this year guys! I KNOW! So now, in the midst of all this Christmassyness (not a word but I'm going with it!) I'm just not feeling it yet. I haven't decked the halls, I have yet to watch The Grinch or The Nightmare Before Christmas or Elf, and I haven't even been keeping up with I'm a Celebrity in a timely manner (sidenote: Nick Knowles x Biffy Clyro is fucking hilarious!)... it's like it's not even Christmas at all.

Instead, I've been embracing the bleak midwinter - be more emo, Lauren, I dare you! - and consuming all of the true crime podcasts that I can handle. Come January I'll regret this grinchiness but for now I'm quite content being a ghoul and listening to all these grisly crime podcasts. It's the worst kind of voyeurism, luckily, due to the sheer volume of true crime podcasts in existence, I'm definitely not the only one who finds murder fascinating. Anyway, if you like me aren't quite ready for Santa Claus to be coming to town - literally, never, ever thought I would type those words - then here's a list of some of my absolute favourite true crime podcasts to keep you busy.

West Cork

Set in the rural Irish town of the same name, West Cork explores the grisly murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, a French holidaymaker, who was found brutally beaten to death just two days before Christmas in 1996. Hosted by husband and wife team; Sam Bungey and Jennifer Forde, West Cork is a compelling and addictive listen. It's fascinating and sad and intriguing and strange and I couldn't stop listening to it. It blow my mind, especially when considering the sheer amount of research, time and attention to detail that went into it.  I've listened to it twice now - sidenote: I've listened to most of these twice! - and it's still just as surprising and devastating the second time around. It's amazing!

Uncover: Escaping NXIVM

Escaping NXIVM (pronounced Nexium) is the first season of Uncover, a CBC podcast hosted by reporter Josh Bloch. It tells the story of Bloch's childhood friend Sarah Edmondson, who was heavily involved in and escaped from a cult. It is as batshit crazypants as it sounds. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, I just think you need to go and listen to it because it is fucking insane. It's also a superb example of awesome storytelling. It's bizarre and compelling and actually really quite scary. When Bloch was explaining how the cult worked and the ideas and theories that it espoused there were some things that I could see myself buying into... it's fucking weird! 

Dirty John

Dirty John is one of my all time favourite podcasts. I don't say that lightly.  Produced by The LA Times and Wondery, Dirty John is a fascinating and horrifying story told by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Christopher Goffard. Goffard - who is in possession of the most soothing yet irritating voice I've ever heard - investigates the titular Dirty John, real name John Meehan, and his relationship with Debra Newell, who he marries and ultimately tries to con. It's full of sickening twists and turns and is incredibly frustrating at times, mostly because Newell, whilst a victim, isn't particularly likeable, so it's hard to be on her side. Having said that, it's completely addictive and I was hooked from the first episode. Also it's set in Newport Beach, as in the one from The OC. So cool!

The Teacher's Pet

Hosted by Hedley Thomas, a seasoned reporter at The Australian,The Teacher’s Pet is an examination of the disappearance Lynette Dawson, a devoted wife and mother, who vanished in January 1982. Lynette hasn’t seen since and is widely believed to have been murdered by her husband, Chris, so he could be with his school-girl lover. It’s a horrific story that only gets worse the more I listen, I haven't finished listening yet, but it’s also fascinating and sad.

Dr Death

Narrated by medical journalist Laura Bell, Dr Death investigates Dr Christopher Dunstch, a neurosurgeon with a hideous track record of making ghastly mistakes, leaving his patients paralysed, in terrible pain or dead. Is Dunstch really just inept? Or does he have deadlier motives? Like Dirty John this is an addictive listen. It's difficult to listen to in places because it does go into quite a lot of detail about how much damage Dunstch inflicts on his patients and the awful things he does to them in surgery. But it's brilliant. And terrifying.

What are your favourite podcasts? Send me your recommendations x

November Goals

November Goals

Wednesday, 21 November 2018

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It's November. I'm just gonna let that sink in for a minute. November. It's not even just November, oh no, it's nearly the end of November. Where has this month gone? Where has this year gone? I just... I don't know. Anyway, this month has been a super busy one. I've moved house, I've done other things too but that's the most important thing. Anyway, while it's still November I should probably set myself some goals, even if I only have nine days left of the month to do them...

Be present

I’m one of those people who’s either constantly reminiscing about times gone by OR fantasising about the future. I never, ever think about the present, because I kind of just see it as a means to an end rather than something that should be embraced and enjoyed. As a result, I live my life almost completely inside my own head. And recently it’s occurred to me just how sad that is. It’s really fucking sad. It means I can’t enjoy anything, but I also don’t want to miss out on my life because I'm spending all my time thinking about how it could be rather than enjoying it for what it currently is. I've always had a really overactive imagination and am something of a fantasist and these are good things, IMO, but the challenge is keeping those things whilst also keeping myself firmly grounded in my present? Answers on the back of a postcard... 

Declutter (again)

Guys! I've moved! It's been a really busy couple of weeks but I’m happily ensconced in my new room. Side note: I have a gallery wall! You can’t know how happy it makes me. Anyway, even though I’ve moved out of my mum’s now, I still have a ton, I’m not joking it could easily be a ton, of stuff at hers that I need to go through and either pack up or get rid of. Luckily, I quite enjoy a good sort out. Unluckily, I don’t want to actually do it, but you know, needs must. 

Apply myself

I’m one of life’s muddlers - evidenced by the fact that we are 3 weeks into November and I’m only just setting my goals now - I just muddle my way through, with the constant feeling that I could be doing more, that I have the potential to do really cool and amazing things, but never quite managing it. Let me tell you it is no fun thinking that I’m not achieving the things I could be.

I think there are probably three things responsible for these constant feelings of inadequacy. 1. I can be quite lazy. I’m a human sloth that likes sleep and netflix. 2. Social media. I think it’s quite hard to be happy with your lot in life when you constantly compare yourself to others on Instagram. Which I do. ALL THE TIME! 3. Time. I don’t have a lot of it and I probably don’t make good use of it.

For the rest of the month/year I’m going to apply myself to the things that matter most to me, learn to prioritise so I don’t waste time I don’t have on bullshit things I don’t care about and make time for the things I do care about. It’s gonna be a tricky one, especially now my favourite time waster, I’m a Celeb, is back on our screens! 

Book my driving test 

It’s taken two years of lessons, with one particularly memorable lesson where I turned the wrong way on a roundabout, got spooked and burst into tears, but I think (whisper it) that I’m finally nearly test ready. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still not a fan of driving, but it’s time. Plus it will save me so much time! Just need to get the bish booked now! 

Start Christmas shopping

For someone who loves Christmas as much as I do, I always leave my Christmas shopping until the last minute. Thank God for Amazon Prime. Except not really because we know there’s a human cost, despite how bloody convenient it is. Anyway, to save myself the hassle of running round the shops on Christmas Eve I’m planning to make a start on my Christmas shopping, even if it's just a few bits and pieces. Anythings better than nothing. Sidenote: who else cried at Elton John x John Lewis ad... because I was a wreck!


What are your goals for the rest of this month? xxx

Autumn Reads

Autumn Reads

Wednesday, 31 October 2018

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It's that time of year where all I want to do is curl up in a cosy corner with a mug of tea and my dog and read all of the books. I just love the idea of sitting by a window, with the leaves falling, and getting completely lost in a book. But in all honesty it's been a very long time since I've done that. And this year, for the first time in a very, very long time, I’ve actually done it. I  have read loads! Loads!  I haven’t read like this since before I went to university, and ultimately, destroyed my concentration and ability to focus on anything that wasn't instagram for longer than 30 seconds. Over the last six weeks I've made reading a serious priority, and have really reminded myself of how much I fucking love books and reading. I love it so much. Why did I stop? Anyway here's just some of the books I've read and loved recently.

No Further Questions by Gillian McAllister

If you love a slightly trashy but compelling crime novel (my fave!) then look no further (is that a pun?!) Told from the perspective of both sides, No Further Questions is a courtroom drama, about sisters, Martha and Becky, who are embroiled in a court case, where one of them - Becky - stands accused of murdering the other’s baby. Despite the quite dark subject matter, not going to lie I don’t love reading about children being murdered, I was completely consumed by the story, which drew me in from the very first page and kept me reading until the bitter end. It’s a fantastic read.

What Would The Spice Girls Do? by Lauren Bravo

What Would The Spice Girls Do? is an exploration of the Spice Girls and their undeniable impact on pop culture and, not to be overdramatic, the world. More importantly, it's about the Girl Power generation and how we grew up. 

I was only five when Wannabe came out and set the world on fire, so I am a fully paid up member of the Girl Power generation and a former Baby Spice wannabe. I grew up with the Spice Girls. I was obsessed with them. I loved them! And I loved reading this book because of that. Reading it was so nostalgic, because I lived it all. I was obsessed, I had the dolls, I had the photo cards, I had the Impulse body spray, I ate the crisps and I even had an unofficial blue Spice Girls t-shirt that my mum got me from the market. And you probably did too. 

Now even if you didn't love the Spice Girls - you did, you know you did! - it's still a fascinating and hilarious read. It's whip-smart, hilariously funny and stridently feminist without being preachy. I'm a total Lauren Bravo fangirl, and the way she writes is just *italian chef finger kiss* It's brilliant.

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

Set inside a Women's Clinic in Mississippi which has been taken over by a shooter, A Spark of Light is an incredible book about abortion and the different arguments on either side of this very contentious topic. Starting at the end, the story works backwards and is told from multiple perspectives, including that of the shooter. It's very cleverly and sensitively done, but it's also incredibly well written. I'm reading it at the moment, and I'm about half way through but I'm finding it to be a really compelling read. It's utterly addictive and compelling but thought provoking and incredibly relevant. I think it's amazing and I can't wait to find out what's going to happen. 

My Thoughts Exactly by Lily Allen

You don't have to be a fan of Lily Allen's - I wasn't particularly, I am now - to think that her autobiography is a spectacular piece of work. It's honestly incredible and I wasn't expecting to be as emotionally invested in it as I was. My Thoughts Exactly is Lily's answer to all the tabloid stories and trolling and all other horrible bull shit she faces on a day-to-day basis. It's her story told  in her words, and those words are bloody brilliant. She's very open and honest, to the point where it's painful  at times, but she's also funny and warm, and her story is really moving. I loved it.

This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Phillips 

Okay, so this is the only one I haven't read yet, but it's next on my reading list. Lately, like the rest of the world, I've become a bit obsessed with Busy Phillips. Her autobiography, This Will Only Hurt a Little, from what I've heard, is funny, brutally honest, refreshing, heartbreaking and awesome. I cannot wait to get stuck in. 

So those are my reading recommendations, what are yours? Let me know xxx