JANUARY FAVOURITES 2015

Well we made it guys, we got through January, wahoo! I hope you've all had a good start to 2015. I know I have and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what February brings now. (Hopefully some warmer weather, I'm freezing!).

My first favourite this month is the Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment.

This baby claims to "fight all common skin concerns" including visible pores, blemishes, breakouts, black and whiteheads and even ingrown hairs. I've tried Thirstymud and Youthmud from Glamglow and loved them both so I was pretty sure I'd like using this and I was so right. It has quickly become my favourite treatment for when I'm having a bit of a spotty time. It can be used as an all over face mask or as a spot treatment.  I usually apply a thin layer and leave for about 15 minutes. As the mask dries on your face you can visibly see the "gunk" that has been drawn out of your pores. It's a bit gross but it definitely shows you that it's working. It's a little more pricey that any drugstore masks but it lasts for ages and it's definitely worth the money in my opinion. LOVE.

Next is Benefit Hoola bronzing powder.

I am a huge Benefit fan and this product has been around for years so I don't know why I've never picked it up before now. It's a matte powder and is just the right mix of brown and orangey tones. It's super flattering even on my pale skin and I find that it's great for contouring. For £23.50 I think it's great value and it even comes with a cute mini bronzing brush but I personally prefer to use my own. 

A new hair product that I've been loving is the V05 Give Me Texture Instant Oomph Powder. 

I love big hair and am on a seemingly never ending quest to find a product that gives me the volume and texture I want without needing to reapply it every half hour. This little beauty is definitely a serious contender. I simply shake it up, pore a little product into my hand and rub it into my roots. It comes out white but as long as you rub it in well you don't get the dreaded white ghost-like tinge on your hair. It's especially handy when you've just washed your hair and it has that fluffy "too clean" feeling. This gives it more texture and makes it easer to style. Plus it's super cheap. A firm hair favourite I think!

Now for a non beauty favourite; my new Kindle Paperwhite.

I love to read and I constantly have a book in my handbag but recently it's been getting to the point where I have nowhere to put all of the books I buy and my handbag is getting too heavy for my wee arms. I had toyed with getting a kindle before when they initially came out but I decided that I'm too much of a traditionalist and that I love the feel and smell of a good book too much, but in December my nan asked me what I wanted for Christmas and suggested she get me a Kindle. I did my research and asked a few friends with Kindles what they thought of them. When everyone I spoke to told me they loved theirs I bit the technological bullet and went for it. Surprise surprise, a month later and I couldn't be without this little thing. Its so light, its small enough to carry around and I have all the books I want at the touch of a button. I really recommend the Kindle if you're a book fanatic like me. Plus, check out my super cute cover!

Finally and probably my favourite of this months favourites. My New Balance 420's.

I got these in August and there hasn't been a week thats gone by since without me wearing them. I've worn them constantly. Even through Winter. I adore them. They're insanely comfy and go with everything. I umm'd and ahh'd about buying them at first because of the £65 price tag but I'm so glad I got them. The hardest thing now is stopping myself buying every other colour. If you are interested in getting a pair of 420's I'd say to size up. I'm a small four and I had to get a five in them. I've tried to find a link to this exact pair but they seem to be sold out everywhere but here's a similar pair.

So that's it for this month, thanks for reading. Let me know what you've loved through January in the comments!

Rachael x


Side note: The multi-coloured blanket in the pictures is a creation my lovely and very talented mum made me, she has a Facebook page if anyone is interested!

THE NETFLIX TAG

My name is Rachael, and I am a Netflix-aholic.

So when I spotted this tag on anniewritesbeauty.co.uk I knew I had to do it!

1. What are you favourite series' to watch on Netflix?

Gossip Girl - Chair are my favourite couple ever.

Pretty Little Liars - Seriously addictive and I really just enjoy staring at Lucy Hale. Girl crush alert!

The IT Crowd - Just completely hilarious. Always cheers me up.

2. What are you currently watching on Netflix?

Pretty Little Liars - I've just finished the second series and I'm obsessed. 

3. If you could have any series, old or new put on Netflix, what would it be? 

Seinfeld - It's mine and my Dads favourite old show and I think we can quote all the worlds to every episode. Jerry Seinfeld is the best!

4. What is your one peeve about Netflix?

I wish the UK and US Netflix was just amalgamated into one. There's a lot more variety on the US version.

5. What are your essentials for a perfect night in with Netflix?

Cosy blanket/duvet, onesie, snacks, my cat and a good cup of tea.

6. Recommend one series or film for someone else.

Suits - It'll make you want to raid Reiss for some killer workwear and go and work in the City.

I tag anybody reading this who loves a good Netflix binge.

Rachael x

Goals for 2015.

Happy New Year everyone!! 

I know I know, it's almost the end of January so I'm more than a little bit late with my new years greetings. I've spent a bit of time away from my wee blog in recent months but I'm finally back and ready to get back into it. So on that note I want to talk a little about 2015 and what I hope to achieve/what my goals are for this coming year.

2014 was quite a big year for me with some serious life changes. At the start of the year I left my first "real" full time job and started a scary new one. Then during the Summer my relationship of three years ended and I subsequently spent a few months doing "me" and trying to figure out what on earth was happening with my life. There were serious highs and lows but I've definitely grown a lot as a person throughout the last year and as cliched as it is, I know a lot more about myself than I did when I started 2014.

That said, I'm hoping 2015 will bring even more opportunities for personal growth and I'd like to make some changes and really make this my year. By nature, I'm not the most motivated person around and for that reason I like to set out clear goals and know exactly what I want to get from a situation. This brings me onto my "resolutions" for this year.

1. See new places/travel more

I'm fortunate enough that I live in a country where I'm free to come and go as I please and have access to various means of transport. I love to travel and so this year I want to visit as many new places as possible (and hopefully revisit the places I really love too).

I've already booked three weeks off work in July and am going interrailing around Europe with my best friend and five other girls. We'll hopefully be visiting twelve different countries in that time including Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, and Denmark, eek!

I'm also dying to visit Iceland so I really want to book some flights and go there sometime this year.

2. Continue to live a healthy lifestyle

I absolutely love food and am really interesting in fitness and nutrition, so this year I want to keep eating healthily and exercising regularly so I can be the healthiest, fittest version of myself. I want to find new ways to keep fit and try lots of new healthy foods. 

I've always wanted to do yoga but am afraid that I'll be rubbish in a class so I've booked to go to a Beginners Yoga Workshop in February. I'm being brave and going on my own! It's five hours long and I'm slightly terrified as I'll be so out f my comfort zone but I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm also determined to master the weights area this year - I know that weights are the way to go but I'm ashamedly a bit of a cardio bunny and the idea of all the weights and the big scary men terrifies me, but I reckon with a few personal training sessions and someone to hold my hand for the first few goes I should be able to conquer my fear!

3. Keep a journal

This one is pretty self explanatory, but I just want to get my thoughts and experiences down on paper. It's supposedly really therapeutic and I just think it's a nice thing to be able to look back on later in life.

4. SAVE SAVE SAVE

Lastly I want 2015 to be the year I really sort my finances out. This means learning to budget, not buying every single thing I see that I like and hopefully saving some money so I have the means to buy my own house in the not so distant future. My money managing skills are beyond poor so this is something I'll really need to work hard at.

I know this wasn't the most exciting post but I promise there'll be more beauty and fashion posts coming up soon! 

Thanks for reading, I'd love it if you commented below and let me know about some of your goals for 2015!

Rachael x

Meet KIT KAT!

Hey there internet world.

I have a new little friend that I'd like to introduce to you!

Meet Kitkat!

Yup, I got a kitten! Isn't she a total cutie?

I have wanted a kitten for the longest time. We've always had dogs as pets and I adore them, but there was just a part of me that longed for a cat. SO two weeks ago, I couldn't wait any longer, so I bit the bullet and went to pick up little Kitkat. She is 9 weeks old and is completely insane. I LOVE her!!

She's absolutely hilarious and full of energy. She's so loving and is just my favourite wee thing.

I'm sure I'll be giving you plenty of kitty updates, but for now here's a few more pictures.. I am definitely on my way to becoming a crazy cat lady!

Big love, Rachael x

The curse of the "20-something"?

Recently, when I've been online all I've been seeing is articles about "20-somethings", how hard is it to be this age, how tough life is, how doomed we are and the mistakes we're all making.  Some tell us that our twenties are the best years of our lives, they're a time for finding yourself, creating a life and doing a whole lot of partying. Then there are others giving us advice, telling us how to be happy and of course the endless articles in list form; "20 things 20-somethings love", "12 ways to be a happy 20-something" or even "7 things all 20-somethings are guilty of doing". It seems like everybody has an opinion of how we in our twenties should be going about life. 

When I read these articles, I'm not sure how to feel. 

On one hand I'm excited at the possibilities the future brings, I feel like these are my prime years and I should be living life to the full, enjoying the freedom of being 22. On the other though, I feel a bit lost and like I haven't achieved anything. I think there's an immense amount of pressure on myself to BE something, to make something of my life. It seems as though the clock is running out and I have a limited amount of time to create happiness.

Sometimes reading an article online comforts me, helps me realise I'm not the only one who isn't sure whats happening in life. Other times I feel disheartened and worried that I won't "make it".

I suppose what I need to remember is that we're all only human.

Not everyone has a plan for the future, even those who do don't know if they'll end up where they hoped. Your plans can change in a day. In an hour even.
There is no timeline for success, and so called "success" in a certain area in your life doesn't guarantee happiness. Maybe you think your best friend has the perfect job, the perfect relationship, everything. They don't, I promise. We don't all have the same journey and this should be celebrated. We aren't all the same and that's what makes us interesting and beautiful. 

If I'm feeling unsure of myself, I try to remember this quote

"Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't." - Mary Schmich

I'm not entirely sure where my life is going, I don't know what career I'll end up in, I don't know if I'll get married or have children or even where I'll end up living. I don't know exactly what I want right now. All I know is that I'll be okay. I'm going to say yes to the opportunities I get, enjoy the little things in life and treasure my friends and family.

We're all in this together after all!

Rachael x

THE WEEKEND | Spring/Summer OOTN.

Afternoon all!

Thought I'd pop up a quick little outfit post.

It's been seriously sunny and hot all week in Belfast, so I was so happy to get to break out the Summery clothes last night.

We just went for a few drinks so I didn't want anything too dressy so I opted for these little patterned shorts and this cami style top, both from River Island.

I used to work for River Island and I bought so much from there at the time with my discount that I can't usually stand to go in now, but I was actually pleasantly surprised with the nice things they have in at the minute.      

My heels are my trusty Zara babies. I got them last Summer and have lived in them since. I like my heels to be super high so generally comfort goes out the window, but these really aren't too bad! No pain no gain eh?

I'm really loving the clashing prints trend thats floating about currently, so I opted for this monochrome black and white striped clutch from Primark to mix it up a little.                                                                                    

I had to sneak in a few entertaining photo's from the night too!

Yup, that's a peg.. on my nose..

I wish I knew what was so funny?!

This seems to be my new go-to pose!

Thanks for reading!

What did you get up to this weekend?

Rachael x

                   

Motivational Monday | Week Four

Happy Monday guys!

Time for your weekly dose of motivation!

I like this little quote and I think its definitely something we can all relate to.

We're all encouraged to moan about things and to "let it all out", but we're rarely encouraged to tell people about the good things in our lives.

I'm going to set myself a challenge this week to try to focus more on the good things in my life and less on the negatives. Hopefully you guys will join in too!

A positive mindset is definitely the way forward!

Have a great week everyone!

Tell me something that you're thankful for in the comments :-)

Rachael x

Motivational Monday | Week Three

Morning lovelies!!

Todays post is about when things go wrong. We all have, to some extent, a plan for our lives. Some of know exactly what our end goal is, how we want to achieve it and how long it will take to happen. Some of us, myself included, aren't so sure. Our plans aren't set in stone, but we have an inkling of how we'd like it all to go.

Unfortunately we don't always get our way. Things change, people change, we change. It's easy to become disheartened and to beat yourself up about things when they don't go as planned, but that won't help. It will only make us feel worse.

My friend Matthew sent me this picture last week when I was having a bit of a hard time. It's something he's been trying to live by, and I think it's brilliant.

It's funny, it's simple and it works.

Life is an adventure, change is good and difficulties make us stronger. 

From now on, when something doesn't go my way, I'm going to do as this little quote says.
I'm going to scream "PLOT TWIST" and I'm going to move on. Our energy is far better spent improving ourselves and our lives than thinking about what could of been and living in the past.

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday and enjoy the rest of your week!

What helps you guys cope with Mondays?

Rachael x

The sky isn't always blue. The sun doesn't always shine. It's okay to fall apart sometimes.

I've had a bit of a tough week. 

The worst week in a very long time.

I'm not too good at talking about my emotions, I like to keep everything inside and deal with it in my own way. 

Normally my "dealing" with my emotions involves listening to my sad Spotify playlist and crying in my bed!

I'm lucky enough however to have wonderful family and friends.

People who allow and encourage me to cry/scream/vent with them.

I'm also lucky that I don't take anything too seriously and I enjoy the little things in life.

I love spontaneity and trying different things constantly.

On Thursday night at around 9.30, my friend Matthew and I were driving back to Belfast after having visited our ginger friend Stewart in Derry/Londonderry.

(Yes, that does say "Muff". Its a place in County Donegal in Ireland! Hahaha, we're very mature!) 

We were blasting a Mika CD we bought in Poundland (old school, I know) and singing at the top of our voices when we decided we wanted to go somewhere to watch the sunset.

We decided to climb to the top of Cavehill in Belfast.

We took the "scenic" route, which consisted of mud, mud and more mud.

We made it to the top hot, sweaty and with a few minutes to spare.

The view was beautiful and so worth the trek up the hills.

Apologies for the photo quality guys, the spontaneous decision meant I had to take the photos with my iPhone.

Of course we had to take some Selfies!

Scary drop!

 What isn't pictured is me falling into a nettle bush. It was dark and I was scared we would be murdered so clumsy old me decided to run and naturally I tripped. It resulted in nettle stings all over my body, three splinters and a big gash on my right knee. Ouch!

Sometimes when you're having a hard time you need to do something that makes you feel human. Something that makes you feel alive. Something that allows you to remember how small your problems are in the grand scheme of things. Everything is temporary. Including the hard times, which is something we often forget. 

What I'm trying to say is, if you're having a hard time it's okay to let yourself be sad for a little while. It's okay to bawl your eyes out while watching chick flicks and eating Galaxy. Just make sure you remember that things get better, and you're never truly alone. 

Thanks for reading guys, sorry about the depressing post!

I'll be back on Monday with a cheery, inspiring Motivational Monday post!

Rachael x

Motivational Monday | Week Two

Good Mooorrrnninngg everyone!!

It's Monday again already! Time for the second instalment of Motivational Mondays, wahoo!

Todays little quote is one I really like. It just tells it as it is, no bull, no excuses. 

We all have our little down days and days when we feel sorry for ourselves, but its important to remember to try and be positive. No matter how bad the situation is, a little positivity goes a long way!

If you don't like something in your life, change it. Change doesn't always come straight away, but if you work for it, it soon will!

Thanks for reading and I hope this post makes your Monday a little bit brighter. If you have any motivational quotes, please leave a comment with them so we can all have a little look!

Rachael x

What I've Been Loving This Month | May

How on earth is it June already? Crazy! Almost halfway through 2014, eek!

This months favourites post is quite make-up/skincare heavy. I've been changing things up a little bit now that the weather is getting nicer (she says as the rain runs down out the window).

Skincare wise I've been having a few breakouts recently which I think its due to the change in season, boo. Therefore I needed a few simple products to treat my spots without irritating my sensitive skin. With this in mind, I popped into Lush and picked up two of their Toner Waters.

I opted for the Eau Roma Water, which is a mix of Lavender and Rose water. It claims to soothe and hydrate without causing skin to overreact. Exactly what I was looking for! I've been using this morning and night after double cleansing. It really does calm the skin and leaves it feeling super soft, I'd definitely recommend it!

The second Toner Water I picked up was the Tea Tree Water. Tea tree is great for spot prone skin. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties really help clear the skin, it dries up existing spots and stops the germs spreading across the face. I use this after the Eau Roma water, with a cotton pad. I really do think this has helped to clear up my skin recently and will be repurchasing soon.

Another spot treatment I've been using is the Origins Super Spot Remover.

I just dab a little of this onto any spots I have before I go to bed and it dries them up and minimises their size by morning time. It's a little pricier but really worth the money.

Lastly for skincare this month is an eye cream. I'll be honest I'd never really used an eye cream until now. I don't seem to get dark circles and my under eye skin isn't too much of an issue, but I thought since I'm twenty two I'd start using one. I wanted something organic, so I picked up the Boots Botanic Hydrating Eye Cream.

It's 80% organic and has nourishing rosehip. I've been using it morning and night and I have to say I've noticed that my under eye are feels more hydrated and looks fresher. Plus a little goes a long way, so I can see this lasting for a good while.

Now for make-up, there are four items that I've been loving throughout May and three of them are base products. I've been trying to achieve the much sought after dewy glow this month and the first product I've enlisted for this is a new foundation.

I've loved this Nars Sheer Glow for ages but when I ran out, I didn't get around to repurchasing it until now. Despite what the name suggests, this foundation isn't really all that sheer. You can easily build it up to a give a nice medium coverage, yet still keep the pretty glow. I have the shade Mont Blanc which is the perfect match for me when I'm not fake tanned. 

I've been using a new concealer too. The Rimmel Match Perfection 2-in-1 concealer and highlighter. 

This stuff is gorgeous, I don't know why I hadn't tried it before! It gives really good coverage, is really creamy and its perfect for an under eye concealer because of the built in highlight. It's a beaut.

Lastly for base products is MAC Strobe Cream.

It's a bit of a multi task product. The description that MAC give explains it far better than I could! "The ultimate quick fix for the skin. Super-powered with potent botanicals; de-snoozes, de-stresses, moistens, freshens and boosts the look of dull, flat or tired-looking skin with a fully loaded vitamin zap and a mega dose of green tea. Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. Enhances the effects of light on all skin and in all lighting conditions from sunlight to spotlight" - phew!! I've been using it either under my foundation to give an all over glow, or over my foundation as a liquid highlight, on my cheekbones, brow bone etc. Its really creamy and pigmented and its great value for money.

The final two make-up products are from Benefit. I recently had my eyebrows done at the Benefit brow bar in Debenhams, Belfast (more on that in the next few weeks) and the girl used Brow Zings to fill in my brows.

I loved the look it gave and remembered that I had it at home. I've been using it every day since and can't remember why I ever stopped using it now! There's a brow shadow to fill in your brows and a wax to set them. It also comes with two little brushes to use and tweezers. Its seriously fool proof and its a tiny little product with a mirror inside so its handy to take around with you.

The other product is a new Benefit launch. The Posie Balm. 

It comes after the Posie tint which I already love, so I knew I had to have this. Its a gorgeous poppy pink colour, is really moisturising and lasts quite well for a balm. I've taken to applying the tint first, then applying this over it. The two work perfectly together and I've been rocking this lip look most days since I bought it. Plus the packaging is to die for!

Last, but by no means least are my Nike Rosherun trainers.

I bought these a few months back when ASOS had 20% off and I honestly haven't worn much else. They are so comfy, they're so cute and they go with everything! I've been wearing them to work out as well as with skinny jeans for a casual day out. They're definitely worth the money and I am officially in love. I'm already looking for my next pair!

Thanks so much for reading guys! What have you been loving during May?

Rachael x