STYLE | DARE TO DOUBLE DENIM

Double Denim. Otherwise previously known as a fashion DON'T. 

However it's 2017 now and the days where myself and probably many others wouldn't dream of 'double deniming' are gone. Alas, it's socially acceptable (not that that would stop me anyway...).

TOP PICKS | DRUGSTORE MASCARAS

Hello all,

Welcome to my new series 'TOP PICKS'. I've been wanting to start this for a while seeing as I seem to have a lot of top picks, ranging from fashion to beauty products.

To start off with is my two top mascara picks. I'm quite fussy on mascara, so for me to find a good one is quite impressive and recently I've managed to find another one! 

My first holy grail is Maybelline 'The Falsies' which to be honest I've been on and off using since I was like 13. It's one I love but it somehow always seems to fade from my make up bag eventually then when I buy it again I just love it all over again. I love it as it doesn't crumble under my eyes, and actually gives good volume to my not so impressive natural eyelashes. As well as this it isn't expensive at £7.99.

A new edition to my mascara must haves is L'Oreal's 'Volume Million Lashes'. Similar to Falsies, the volume I can build up with it is pretty good. The lasting time is also impressive as with some mascara I find mid day I look in the mirror and I look as though I have none on...but luckily with this one that's not the case.It cos's £10.99 and I don't think that's out the way at all! 

So there we have it my top mascara picks! 

xx

LIFE | HOW BLOGGING HAS CHANGED

Hello all!

Today's post is going to be a bit different. For a while now I've wanted to expand from my normal style of posts as I  want to do more 'talking point' posts. As whilst I enjoy doing my usual style, to be able to have a platform which I can ramble my thoughts isn't so bad (and I hope some people can relate).

The 'talking point' of today? Change.

I've been back in the blogging game for a little while now and it's been a while since I last actually gave it 'proper' go and a LOT is different. When I started back up I'd noticed the change, and just accepted it and it wasn't till I read a post by Sophie who runs Fashion Slave which can be read here. That I had a real eye opener on just how much it's 'adapted' and I wanted to have a lil ramble about my thoughts on it all.

I think for anyone starting out from scratch to even me returning can agree that blogging this day and age can be slightly intimidating. I remember in 2013/14 all you had to do to gain a following was get some (in hindsight) crappy pictures of your favourite products on your dresser, a picture of your outfit in your garden or room and it just seemed whatever anyone could do would do. 

Now? photos have to look professional for every post and simply taking a picture of that favourite lip product on the dresser won't do, for now you need it perfectly positioned amongst pretty flowers and rings you never really wear otherwise known as blog props.

It's safe to say a lot has changed, and ever since reading Sophie's post on Fashion Slave it made me wonder what I actually think of the change.

One part of me thinks quite negatively of the change, with it putting pressure on bloggers who just want a fighting chance of being successful, as they feel they have to match the professional standard popular blogs roll out. For me personally, it initially and sometimes still is quite uninspiring for with being a student with next to no budget to put money into getting blog props, or that top of the range lens for my camera, it can all feel very overwhelming and a little impossible. 

Another rather intimidating factor is the difference in the need for your Instagram (and Twitter etc) to be as impressive as your blog, to have the likeable flat lays and the perfect outfit to match the perfect location. For me I've been obsessed with how my Instagram looks for a while so that hasn't changed but I just partly live for 2013 where my Instagram wasn't even connected to my blog and I didn't know what hashtags were. 

However, with negatives there's always positives. 

Although there are times when browsing all the incredible blogs can seem quite uninspiring, it can also actually be a motivator. As for me, I'd love for my blog to consistently be at the standards others are, and to work out how to do that on a budget can be seen as a challenge. As well as that, it just challenges each of us as people, and tests how much we want to blog, for me I love it so trying to keep up with the professional standard that now dictates the blogging world is worth it.

So to round things up on this lengthy post, I embrace the change the blogging 'world' has seen, and hope that with more and more practice my blog will only get better.

Thanks for reading xx

P.s feel free to let me know your opinions in the comments!

STYLE | A MUST HAVE SUMMERS DAY OUTFIT

Hello lovelies! 

Today's style post is an outfit fit for a summer day/evening doing whatever! As the temperature was reaching 30 degrees I opted for this amazing skirt from Topshop, as it's floaty and a very lightweight material it managed to keep me cool, so is definitely an essential for hot summer days. And yes I wore a skirt on a bike ride but the fit of it makes it so when you're on the bike it doesn't move, so all good. This skirt is fast becoming a summer favourite with it being so effortless with it making any outfit look great even when paired with the simplest jersey top.

As for the Brandy Melville top I have on, unfortunately it isn't on sale anymore as I got it last summer but once again it managed to keep me cool so I didn't melt in the heat and it also went perfectly. Seeing as the skirt's bright print is a statement itself keeping it simple on top is probably for the best.

As for my sandals, they're the best bargain ever, they cost only £3 from Primark and are one of the comfiest pair of sandals I own, they sell them in white, brown, denim and black so I'd recommend heading down to your local Primark to grab a pair!

TOP - BRANDY MELVILLE
SKIRT - TOPSHOP
SANDALS - PRIMARK

So there we have it a must have outfit for a hot summer day!

Thanks for reading xx

HOW TO | FIND INSPIRATION AND PLAN BLOG POSTS

Hello allll, 

Today's post is about how I plan my blog posts and where/how I find the inspiration for them. Which I figured could maybe be a little helpful to other bloggers.

Inspiration

1. I think similar to every other blogger a lot of my inspiration comes from actually reading loads of different blogs and then naturally when you enjoy reading something you want to do your take of it. So mostly, I get my ideas from other bloggers amazing-ness. 

2. Secondly, I find sitting there thinking about what stuff I want to know/read about helps.

3. Thirdly I get a lot of my inspiration for my blog through just living. For example, I do my LIFE series because with enjoying photography it gives me a space to put out those photos(the ones that don't make it to my Instagram...). As well as that, with living naturally you have opinions and stories on things you've experienced and therefore may want to write about that.

Planning
Whilst I have my notebook to scribble down all the ideas I get actually then getting around to taking photos and writing up the post is the time consuming part. So this is what I do to ensure the ideas actually get used!

1. I firstly priortise what posts I want more of, for me STYLE posts are my favourite and the most time consuming so once I have outfits in mind when I have time I make it my priority to snap it and write it up.

2. I'm actually a lil' OCD with having a good backup of blog posts in my drafts (when it gets under 8 posts I start to panic). I know that is a lot but it 100% makes it easier for when/if I'm super busy and don't get around to taking photos for awhile. So a good suggestion is when you have time be as productive as you can so then you don't need to rush them when you don't have time!

There we have it a few little ways to help find inspiration and plan  blog posts!

Till next time x

REVIEW | HOW TO GET WHITE TEETH IN 5 DAYS USING CREST WHITENING STRIPS

I recently used Crest Whitening Strips which I purchased from here. As their not for sale in the UK you have to purchase them online which can easily lead to buying fake versions so make sure you stick to a clear authorised supplier and read reviews. Buying online also has its advantages as it means you don’t have to buy a whole packet but instead the amount of strips you desire.

Anyhowwww to get into it, Crest recommend to use them for a period of 7 – 14 days however after being recommended that 5 consecutive days actually gets you noticeable results (and is a lot more affordable) I went halves on getting 20 strips (10 packets).  So for 5 days I used Crest whitening stips for 30 minutes a day and these are my results.

STYLE | HOW ACCESSORIES CAN ADD TO A CASUAL LOOK

Hello all, 

This outfit is one of my favourites, the blouse I'm wearing is actually yet another item of clothing I've stolen from my mum and it has fast become one of my favourite blouses to pair with every pair of jeans I own,  and it looks great with them all. Which leads me onto a pair of jeans I really didn't see myself buying, I went from being a 16 year old Joni Jeans fan to a 20 year old I don't know why I bought hundreds of pairs of those, Jamie jeans are much better kinda gal. So when I randomly decided to try these on I was surprised that I actually liked them even without them feeling like an actual pair of jeans, and using the excuse I don't own a grey pair of jeans I got them (funny fact - went home to realise I actually do own a grey pair of mom jeans...oh...).

HOW TO | GET THE PERFECT FOUNDATION SHADE

Hello lovelies, 

This post is something I think pretty much every single pale person can relate to, seeing as for me no foundation shade is ever perfect and therefore can easily turn out with my face being a different shade to my neck...

LIFE | GET TO KNOW ME

1. Are you named after anyone? 

No, just me, myself and I. 

2. Do you use sarcasm a lot? 

ALL THE TIME. Sarcasm is basically my sense of humour so if you don't get sarcasm we got issues. 

3. What's the first thing you notice about people? 

I haven't actually thought about this before but it's probably what they're wearing. 

4. Scary movie or happy ending? 

Happy ending every time, I never watch scary movies as they are literally the worst. 

5. Do you have any pets? 

Two Cairn terriers Monty and Rommy (who are the cutest little things but also the naughtiest). Not having them at uni with me is legit the worst thing about it. 

6. One thing you've been meaning to do? 

Cut my hair shorter but part of me is terrified but I will do it soon! 

8. A bad habit you have? 

Eating sweets, I have such a sweet tooth its unreal. My dentist hates me. 

9. What's unique about you? 
I think the most obvious thing is my birthmark on my right arm, which I was obviously born with...I don't ever notice it but I suppose people who don't know me do. So yeah the red patches on my arm? only a port wine stain don't be alarmed.  

So there we have it, some really useless facts about me but nonetheless I hope you enjoyed! 

xx