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Thursday 30 April 2015

Get Fuller Looking Lips Without The Kylie Jenner Challenge

Last week I saw the #kyliejennerchallenge EXPLODE onto my twitter feed with girls (and even some boys) attempting the ridiculous method of sucking on a shot glass to achieve plumper lips. As I could see in these pictures and videos, they all went terribly wrong. 
To be honest, I do not see the point in making yourself look like some massive fish has just tried to suck your face off to look like a celebrity who has definitely had lip fillers at the age of 17. 
For those who are not so fortunate to have a plastic surgeon on hand, here are some needle-less tips to use to get that larger lip look without looking like Pokemon's Jynx.


Befriend lip liner

A lot of people I know don't even use lip liner when applying lipstick. If you opt for a lip liner close to your natural lip colour then you are able to emphasise the size of your lips and fool everyone around you. It also helps guide you on where to apply for lipstick after wards. 
But for the Kylie Jenner look that is most currently desired, find a mauve coloured liner and just use that on your lips, Rimmel's Exaggerate Automatic Lip Liner in Addiction is a really good shade for this and is only £3.99!

 Start with the angle of the cupids bow and draw a cross (see the below image) to mark the shape you desire and fill in from there.



Try Lip Plumper
A fool proof way to get fuller looking lips is to try a lip product that has a plumping formula. Most of these products will contain microcirculation-stimulating extract to make your lips look fuller. Soap and Glory do a very good gloss called Sexy Mother Pucker in 6 different colours including a clear gloss. It does give a tingling sensation when applied and they all have unique smells.
A more of a high end lip plumping product would be Dior's  Addict Lip Maximiser which contains "unique blend of hyaluronic and marine-based fillers that smooth, moisturise and leave lips irresistibly plump." At £23 it is quite expensive for a 6ml tube but the reviews are extremely good so really you get what you pay for.


Avoid Dark Lip Shades
If you wear dark or even vibrant shades and have thin lips, you will draw more attention to them and flatten the appearance of your mouth. If you opt for nude/pink colours with Hi-Shine or gloss, the reflection of the light can give the impression of larger lips.


Give Your Lips Dimension

You are even able to use two different lip shades to create a larger looking pout. If you apply a slightly darker shade to the centre of your lips and then apply a lighter shade along the outside ridges, the special effect will create more of a dimension for your pucker thus fooling those around you that you have fuller lips.





What are your tips for getting bigger looking lips?


Katie
x



Wednesday 29 April 2015

My Summer Holiday Wishlist


Now that I can finally start getting excited over a holiday, I am pre-empted to start my obsessive online browsing for my summer holiday wishlist.
I am the type to plan everything, I make check lists for packing and plan outfits for the daytime and evening. I like to have everything running smoothly as I have a perpetual fear of getting to the airport and realising I forgot something. I would like to write a pre-holiday checklist post closer to the holiday but for now here is what's on my wishlist all items are from New Look believe it or not!

I have found New Look sells clothes that are just to my taste and are really affordable. I have been looking for a comfortable, loose jumpsuit for a while now to wear in the summer with some wedges, and when I found this one I was so pleased its under £30, isn't  black (which is going out of the comfort zone) and military-esque. I think this jumpsuit will go really nice in the evening on a holiday where it's a bit cooler but you can still pair it with some nice sparkly sandals or tan wedges to glam it up.


I also LOVE the sunglasses. I am a big fan of big sunglasses, they just seem to fit my face shape really well as opposed to aviators much to my dismay. I am not one to spend a lot of money on a pair of sunglasses as I know I will end up chucking them in the bottom of my bad one day and they'll get forgotten about and crushed.


I fell in love with this floral jacket as soon as I saw it. I'm not really one for wearing blazers as they never provide enough warmth I find. But this blazer I feel will do nicely on a summers day when its not sweltering outside and I want to sit in the pub garden or even over a nice dress to attend a wedding! This would definitely go into the suitcase to chuck over the jumpsuit when the chill hits in the evening or even to travel to the airport over jeans and a white t-shirt!


The sparkly sandals pleased me very much. I definitely am considering purchasing these now not just for the holiday they're so pretty!. They don't have that in-between toe wedge that I despise! It always gives me a blister! These just look really comfy and perfect for strutting around the pool side in.


Speaking of the pool, the coral bikini is also something I really liked when browsing through the skimpy beachwear. I have never bought a bikini that has the high waisted bottoms. I have always thought these would suit my body shape but have always been dis-inclined by the thought of weird tan lines. I am considering buying one, we'll see.


The statement necklace also pictured above was also a must have on my wishlist. I love big chunky necklaces over a simple dress or top. My favourite colour is ice blue so this one really caught my eye!


The loose dress pictured is similar to other dresses I have bought before for a holiday, I like them to have a cover up over my bikini when I wonder down to the beach or pool and then you can throw it n when you go in for lunch. A lot of beach coverups found in shops are almost see through and not very appropriate for any other place apart from the beach. This dress isn't see-through so I am able to take it home with me knowing I can wear it again to a party or BBQ if I like.


I couldn't forget a beach towel, this one says "The sun, the sand, a drink in my hand" which is perfect because it is exactly what I want in a holiday!!


Last but not least is a pair of slippers I saw that I thought were adorable! They are unicorn slippers, not for a holiday of course but whilst looking I found these on New Look's website and I had to mention them! I am definitely putting these into my checkout basket for chilled out nights with a cup of tea and writing more blog posts for you lovely readers! I can't resist a good pair of slippers.





What's on your holiday wishlist?

Katie
x




Monday 27 April 2015

Spring Walk With My Dogs

I do love Spring, as I've said time and time again. 
I wasn't able to go to work today due to a contagious illness I have but didn't want to be stuck inside so I thought I'd go spread germs at my local park with my dogs, Bonnie and Teddy. I discovered today that Teddy likes to bark and strange men and chase loud cars and Bonnie will just run away from all dogs as she's such a little baby. Other than that they are very well behaved and I am appreciating their company and cuddles a lot today.
 It was such beautiful weather, I had to take some pictures of the nature and dogs minus my myself due to the dodge lip.












I love days like this, I'm seriously chilled out at the moment drinking a cuppa from my Disney mug and watching Orange is the New Black which is my new favourite programme!


Hope you're all having a lovely Monday!

Katie
x

Motivational Monday



This is like my daily mantra. It's always important to remember in everything we strive to do, that we may not notice any big differences straight away, but in time we will have made such a change for the better from putting time and effort into it. This could be fitness goals or a new project that you're working on. I am working on both my fitness and my blog, and I know in a years time I'll most likely be glad I started. 
To stay on track with your future goals it's best to start small. I will never wake up one morning and think "I want to run the marathon next year" because I know I am nowhere near I need to be with my fitness to be able to even think about running 26 miles. However, I could think I would like to start running 3 times a  week. (To be honest I don't know if I could even do that!) 
With my blog, I write when I am feeling my blogging mojo. If I have had a stressful and busy day I most likely will not write at all, but sometimes I could write drafts for 3 different blog posts. I'm so grateful to myself for having the courage to make my own blog and manage to keep writing despite what others may think or say which used to scare me.  Now I am able to enjoy it and hopefully other do too.

I enjoy writing Motivational Monday posts as it reminds me of what I should be grateful for rather than dwelling on all the rubbish from last week, people say we should put the past behind us, but if it's a happy memory I don't want to forget!



This week I'm happy for:

1. Sunday afternoon Nandos :) mmm!

2.  Finally finding "Orange Is The New Black" to binge watch on Netflix.

3. Watching the thousands of people who ran the marathon and feeling very patriotic for some reason. It's nice to see London hosting events like this for charities.

4. Going out for one too many drinks with friends, it's always fun.

5. Putting my little sister to bed and she always needs an extra good night kiss sooo cute!



What are you happy for this week?



Katie 
x










Friday 24 April 2015

14 Signs You're Turning Into Your Mother

Us women have all had that moment when you laugh hysterically or shout "Oh my God!" and you instantly think, OH CHRIST I just sounded like my mother.
There seems to be a lot of negativity involved in this realisation of growing into the woman who loved you and raised you and no wonder we're turning into them, they were our  very first female role models.
In some cases it seems turning into your mother can be detrimental! There's been times when my sister and I would say to our mum, "You're turning into Nanny!" after she has a good nag at us or insists a cup of tea will solve all problems and she will get so offended. 
If you're like me and suspect you're heading down the path of no return, there are obviously going to be plenty of similarities that a mother and daughter might share and some signs to look out for. 



1. You'll pick up the same dress in Primark. The look on her face will be of pure joy, you on the other hand will inwardly curse when you realise you have the same bad taste

2. You inherit some of her annoying habits like using flossers on the sofa while watching TV and thinking nothing of it

3. You insist on getting a drink for anyone who walks through the door

4. No food goes to waste. It's all split into freezable containers because "that'll do us another meal"

5. You make your bed to the same standard that of a hotel. Plush Cushions and blankets included.

6. You start buying every reduced item in Tesco in Bulk. 'OMG Colgate is only £1.00 lets buy 10!'

7. You start nattering to yourself when your'e wandering round the house trying to find something you misplaced.

8. You don't recognise any of the celebrities on the news

9. You carry round an extra pack of tissues "for emergencies"

10. Those younger than you tell you the TV show you watch is "boring"

11. You check the travel news before heading out on every journey.

12. You can't understand the concept of starting a night out drinking after 10pm.

13. You cannot read your phone screen unless you hold it at nearly arm's length away from your face.

Sometimes it may even happen that you're mother is trying to turn into you.

14. She is more up to date with social media trends and texts you using abbreviations.
"Hi K8. wuu2? luv u lots."





Gotta love 'em for trying though.




Katie
x


Wednesday 22 April 2015

The British Tag






I've been considering doing a get to know me tag, for those readers out there to give a little insight on who I am basically. I thought the British Tag would be the best way to do that as I am honestly as British as they come. I complain constantly about the dreary weather, drink far too many cups of tea and have barbecues whatever the weather

1. How many cups of tea do you have a day? How many sugars?
I have between 3-4 cups a day, 1 sugar! It always has to be in a nice mug. I also have a coffee or 2 during the day.
2. Favourite part of your roast?
It's a toss-up between Yorkshire puddings and sage and onion stuffing!
3. Favourite dunking biscuit?
Digestives all the way even though I know they're so bad for me!
4. Favourite quintessentially British pastime?
I love going to pubs, whether it be drinking in the evening or for a Sunday lunch I just love a good pub.
5. Favourite word?
My mum would kill me but I love the word "Bollocks"! There's a satisfaction that comes with shouting this at someone who is lying.
6. Cockney rhyme slang?
Dog and Bone
Apple and Pears
A personal favourite, Baked Bean!
7. Favourite sweet?
Anything Haribo!
8. What would your pub be called?
There's a pub in West Sussex that my I have been to with my Nan called the Black Rabbit and I love it there! I think I would name it something like that. Maybe the "White Rabbit" like Alice in Wonderland.
9. No.1 British person?
I LOVE Tanya Burr!
10. Favourite shop / Restaurant?
I love Topshop for clothing. My favourite restaurant has to be Ciao Bella, a little Italian restaurant in Romford. They do the best food and big portions! I go there with my boyfriend when we're celebrating something or just fancy gorging on pizza.
11. What British song pops into your head?
Spice Girls- Spice up your life. I'm picturing Geri Halliwell's Union Jack Dress
12. Marmite?
Love it, but I definitely have to have a craving for it. I don't keep it in the cupboard.


I tag those British bloggers out there who has yet to do the British tag to do it!
Katie 
x

Monday 20 April 2015

Motivational Monday



I don't think I'll ever be one of those people who are completely organised and has everything going right for them. I'm extremely fortunate to have a loving family who take care of me, as well as a loving boyfriend and a nice home to live in. But I am also very unlucky in terms of, my hair never goes the right colour, or I drop my new blusher as soon as I leave boots and it smashes into pieces :( or I come across the largest potholes I've ever seen and have no choice but to drive over them and almost destroy my car! 
Surprisingly I stay quite positive in these situations, where the old me would just break down and cry, the new me laughs off the orange patches in my hair and the £40 spent on straightening the alloy on my wheel. I'm feeling very positive this morning and feel this week will be badass.  I would like to get some, if not all, of my little ducks in a row.

This week I am happy for -

1.  Realising I haven't had a cold since I started the gym again *touches wood*

2. Finally getting my hair fixed

3.  My gorgeous new bed sheets that make me so excited to jump into bed!

4. My car not breaking down on me (I'm not thankful for the massive pothole that bent my alloys last Friday)

5. The hot UK weather we had on Wednesday :)

6.  The sun still being up at 7.45pm!

7. Game of Thrones season 5!

8.  Candles that make your room smell lovely without having to light them 

9.  Old favourite songs I forgot about, playing on the radio

10. My skin is finally clearing up


What are you happy for this week?

Katie

x



Sunday 19 April 2015

10 Struggles a Perpetually Cold Person Will Understand; GIF

Yes, I am one of those perpetually cold people. From working in an office I have come to the realisation that human beings, when hot, are non-negotiable on the terms of the air conditioning/heating system. I was always overruled no matter how much I shivered and begged and unfortunately I was seated right under the AC unit. 
I have purchased an extortionate amount of jumpers and tights. Purchased one too many water bottles from Primark because "AW! Look it's shaped like a cute teddy bear" and I'll never properly pull off sunglasses as I'm always wearing some sort of knitwear and just look like a crazy person.
If you are also one of these people, I salute you. Below are some of the struggles we both know to be true.



When you're in a meeting and your colleagues start to hint that they are feeling a bit hot you have come to the realisation that, at some point in the very near future, the AC will be turned on.






And when that air conditioning goes on, it's sure to be on maximum speed.





Your wardrobe is 75% knitwear




And no matter how many of those jumpers you wear, that annoying breeze will still find its way in.




 We can't even bare to type on the keyboard any longer as our fingers are so damn cold!




Your bed sheets are always too cold and you have to do the wiggle dance to warm them up.




You'll have the heating in your car on full blast but your passenger will complain it's too stuffy and hot






When you get into other people's car and they insist on opening the windows even in the winter for "fresh air supply"



 You will consider wearing gloves and a scarf even though its a summer dress kinda day






Hot baths are our favourite so we get to spend all our money on Lush bath bombs (so I'm not complaining)





Katie
x

Saturday 18 April 2015

My A-Z of Makeup

If you know me, you will know I am obsessed with makeup. There's nothing I find more exciting than arriving home with a bag full of new products to try, except if it was a huge lush haul. I know what colours work for me and what don't and it has taken years of trial and error, through the orange powdered foundations and purple eyeliner. Below is an A-Z list I have created which contains the best advice I could give on makeup and all the ins and outs. I hope it is helpful to those of you who also love makeup or to those of you who don't wear it much and are looking for some handy tips!

Application - this is important, there are so many ways to apply makeup eg. sponges, brushes or fingers. You need to choose whatever works best for you and what you're comfortable working with


Brushes - If you choose to apply make up using a brush, make sure you clean it regularly to avoid spreading bacteria and stop it from molting so much! I recommend the real techniques brushes!

Contouring is a woman's best friend. It can give you the chiselled cheek bones you've been looking for or the slimmer-looking nose you've dreamt of having. The key is to use highlighter where the light naturally falls on your face, and a dark shade such as a matte bronzer to sculpt where the shadows on your face are.

Don't ignore the shelf life of a product. Most products should have a symbol somewhere on the label that says something like "12M" on a tub. This means it has a shelf life of 12 Months and you shouldn't use the product after 12 months of opening it.

Eyelash Curlers are a great way to get extra volume before you apply mascara and helps to separate your lashes too, resulting in better application and no clumps.

Foundation is extremely important as it is a base for the rest your makeup. You must make sure you choose the correct shade for your skin tone and apply it properly to ensure full coverage and make your skin look flawless. If light coverage is more your thing then opt for a BB or CC cream.

Gel Eyeliner is very long lasting and much better than liquid eyeliner which can tend to look dry and flake off towards the end of a long day. Gel eyeliner is also good for the smudgy eyeliner look due to the soft consistency.

Have clear skin to ensure you are minimizing the spread of bacteria and it also helps make your foundation seem flawless without the bumps and red spots of the occasional pimple. Read one of my older posts on How to Get Clearer Skin.

Ignore what the media tells you what you should look like. Makeup is meant to be fun so don't be afraid to experiment and wear that daring colour if its your favourite.

Join boots/Superdrug/Debenhams point system. It's a great way to save money while spending. I have so many boots points I can now repurchase the Lancôme mascara that I LOVE and is a little pricey! 

Keep trying. You may not always get the desired look every time but never give up. You can find totally new things that suit you just by accident. 

Lipstick- When applying lipstick you need to decide what look you're going for. If you are choosing a bright red lip, then using lip liner will help with application and precision. It is also good to exfoliate your lips before applying a product to ensure that they don't chap or go dry and peel.

Moisturise your face daily. Keep your skin hydrated and your make up will look much better for it. Bye bye flaky skin!

No more touching your face. Your fingers are your worst enemy. Try to avoid this as much as possible so you do not rub off any makeup or worse, spread bacteria from a work surface to your face.

Organise your collection. I like to use little boxes, I have one for lip products, one for eye liners and mascaras, one for bronzer, one for foundation & concealer, one for eyeshadows and one for blusher etc.

Primer- Primer is an important step in applying makeup and a lot of people don't ever use it. Primer gives your skin the correct base to apply foundation onto and ensuring it wont come off! It's great for using on a night out where you want everything to stay in place.

Questions- Don't be afraid to ask people working on the beauty counter for advice or help choosing a product. That's what they're there for and they usually have some really good tips and will show you how to apply some makeup if you are unsure. 

Remove your make up properly. As  important as applying it correctly is, its very important to make sure you remove it correctly. Try using a cleanser that isn't harsh on your skin. I always like to purchase one that is specifically for sensitive skin so I know it will be gentle and not dry it. out.

Spare makeup always comes in handy, keep a spare lipgloss or concealer in your bag with you to top up during the day, especially if you're going out for dinner so you can reapply your lippy after the meal.

Translucent powder-  this will help to set your make up and make it even longer-lasting

Understand that products may work differently on other people. I have tried a lot of products recommended by some other beauty bloggers and while they work miracles on them I cannot seem to agree with it. E.g, my MAC eyeshadow in Brun, I saw another blogger use this to fill in their eyebrows but when I bought it and used it for the first time I just didn't like how it looked on me.

Vocalise, if you find a product that you absolutely love tell people about it. I love hearing about products people have been enjoying so I know to try it myself!

Wash your makeup brushes, as mentioned before, this is important as it minimises risks of spreading bacteria and helps make your brushes last longer. 

X I don't know any words that start with X! So here's some kisses xxxxxxx

You don't always need to wear makeup!  Take a day off every now and then to let your skin breathe!

Zzz - Get your beauty sleep



What are some of your best tips?

Katie 
x

Tuesday 14 April 2015

20 Things to Start Doing Today


1. Drink more water

2. Smile more often

3. Walk further (just around the shops if you must)

4. Laugh louder, it burns 10-40 calories every 15 minutes

5. Stretch in the morning to increase flexibility

6. Leave a glass of water on your bedside table (you'll thank me for it)

7. Accept compliments! (By the way, if you're reading this YOU'RE AMAZING! )  ;)

8. Stop dwelling on the little things you can't change

9. Focus on improving those that you can!

10. Sing along to your favourite music

11. Throw out all the junk you don't use 

12. Tidy your room/house/flat

13. Don't forget to wash your bed sheets regularly

14. Eat more fruit & vegetables

15. Avoid processed foods

16. Paint your nails whatever crazy colour you like

17. Appreciate those around you (they won't be there forever)

18. Take the time to tell the ones you love how much you love them

19. Turn the TV/laptop/iPhone off and read a book

20. If someone needs you, give them your time and listen


Katie
x

Monday 13 April 2015

Motivational Monday



I believe in staying positive as much as possible and I try to be an all-round happy person in life. A great way to remind yourself to smile is thinking about all the little things in life that make you happy. It could be anything from wearing your favourite pair of socks to treating yourself to an extra nice meal.

This week I am happy for -

1. Leftover Easter eggs
2. Going to bed late and waking up early and NOT needing a nap!
3. Singing in the car really loud
4. Wearing a dress and sandals for the first time in 7 months and not freezing
5. Finally being able to sleep with the window open again
6.  Lush bubble baths
7. My stepdad's  home made Shepard's Pie
8.  The fact that my freckles that are finally appearing
9. How much my cat loves a cuddle
10. Makeup-less pyjama days



What are you happy for this week?


Katie
x


Friday 10 April 2015

Get That Friday Feeling!!






Since Katy Perry's song TGIF I find myself  doing a little dance under the covers to the song in my mind when I wake up on a Friday morning, bit strange I know. Honestly, I think Friday is my favourite day. Most people prefer fun Saturdays or lazy Sundays (I know someone who favours Monday above all! WTF right?!)

Friday is the day when I get excited about the next few days ahead and can plan or not plan what I want to do. 
Friday's the day when you can turn the morning alarm off. 
Friday's the day when you can stay up until 3AM watching Netflix because you don't have work or school the next day.
Friday is the day when my mood is at its peak and I skip joyfully through the day. (Not really because that would be weird, but METAPHORICALLY)
Friday is rest day!
Friday is pay day!
Friday is the day when driving home from work is more enjoyable and there is less traffic!
The sun always seems to shine on a Friday.


Have a Happy Friday!!

Katie
x




Monday 6 April 2015

16 Things You Realise When You Turn 20

I turned 20 last September and since my last birthday there are a few truths I have discovered.


1. Time to get your life in order and get a proper job





2. Then there's the stress of having to prepare for that interview...




3. And there's always the inevitable question "So tell me, where do you see yourself in 5 years?" WHO EVER ANSWERS THIS  TRUTHFULLY?!





4. Then when pay day comes.. Goodbye Money!






5.  Being able to afford a potato for dinner is an achievement





6. You discover the amazing drink that is wine






7. Drinking is your only friend at the end of the day... It's always there for you





8. After drinking you feel like a better dancer than Beyonce but you're more of a Taylor Swift at the Grammys






9. You hope, like wine, you will improve with age





 10. You will also realise some 13 year olds look and dress older than you





11. And you now must try and teach yourself to walk in heels like a proper adult





12. You go on twitter now and have no idea what the abbreviations that teenagers are using  actually mean





13. The internet  is now such a weird place - 1 random new friend request, no mutual friends? AVOID!






14. You'll meet some of the craziest friends you've ever had





15. Everyone expects you to be planning for your 21st Birthday like its going on MTV's Super Sweet Sixteen






16. But all in all, these will be the years you remember, so make the most out of it!




I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did making it!


Katie
x