Wednesday 25 November 2015

I Got You Babe

Hi Guys,

I've done a few beauty posts recently and really wanted to focus on something anxiety related. I've suffered with anxiety for around 6 years and over that time, have discovered some great ways to cope with it. Even if you don't have anxiety, you may find some of these tips helpful if you are having a difficult time at the minute, are having stress symptoms, or need to restrain from knocking someone down a peg or two ;)

1. Remove Yourself From The Situation
This is my personal favourite and is something I don't do often enough. I'm one of those people who love a bit of gossip and can't resist poking my nose into places where it shouldn't be. However, when it comes to things that induce anxiety or even anger, it's probably best just to walk away to give yourself time to think clearly, before responding to the situation.  Nothing is worse than lashing out, because you are feeling anxious and then regretting it later.

2. Remember That People Don't Know As Much As You Think 
The title is a bit of a mind boggle, I agree. But, like all of these tips, the theory is quite simple to put in place. For people who get anxious, the most important thing to have is support. Getting the right type of support, trusting the right people and getting them to say things that you're gonna' find helpful is hard, because every situation is different.  I've had panic attacks before, where I've seeked reassurance from  my friends or family and because they didn't say what I wanted to hear, I've become even more stressed. Therefore, when you feel nervous or feel anxiety creeping up on you, stop, think and decide which step you want to take next. Is it reassurance you are looking for? Or is the answer one you already have?

3. Breathe 
It seems silly to offer this as a tip, but it's really important. Humans breathe all the time, but in the midst of every day life, it's very unusual for people to just stop and take a breath. At the end of the day, when you think about it, there is a crucial difference between just breathing and taking a breath. If life is getting too heavy, just STOP! Wherever you are you can always just stop. If you are in class, put down your pen even if it's just for a second. If you are in the middle of a crazy crowd, find a shop, walk into it, and take a breath. No matter what you are doing, remember to take time for yourself and to breathe deep breaths when things get too much.

4. Imagine 
Who else sang John Lennon in their head then? Ha Ha! Seriously, I heard about this one from a professional and for some people, this really works. The key is to fully occupy the space you are in and to imagine you are somewhere that makes you feel calm and at peace within the bustling world. Then, as you notice the knots in your stomach unwinding and your heart coming down to a steady pace, visualise your anxiety or anger, as a ball of energy. It's buzzing around inside of you, waiting to get out. But you control your body and your mind. Move an arm or a leg as if to prove to your mind that you control your own doings. Finally, imagine you can touch the ball of fiery energy and press it inwards, until it becomes small and almost insignificant. At the end of these steps, you should feel much better and your head, clearer.

5. Make Your Feelings Known
Whatever you do, don't take this as a will to behave badly! When I say make your feelings known, I mean find someone to talk to, who you trust and can rely on, instead of keeping your emotions and thoughts bottled up. Anxiety can play on the brain a lot and releasing some of these thoughts onto someone else, who understands you, can be a big help. If you are alone, or can't think who to have a chat with, grab a clean page or a notebook and unscramble your thoughts by constructing them as sentences. This helps you make sense of the babble in your head and feel that lovely clarity.

Remember I'm always here for you and you can contact me by following me on Twitter @izzyc_blogs

Hugs and Kisses
ThatGirlWhoBlogs x

Saturday 21 November 2015

15 Facts About Me

Hi Guys,
Just a simple post today!
1. I would much prefer to be inside an enclosed space than in an open area
2. I adore tea and love it with lots of milk and one sugar
3. I prefer dark, berry toned lipsticks over pinky tones any day
4. My all time favourite song is Master Pretender by First Aid Kit
5. As well as anxiety I also have OCD
6. I have a massive sweet tooth and am a huge lover of things like ice-cream, cakes and chocolate
7. Sometimes, I can accidentally contradict myself and get myself into some right messes
8. I have a passion for literature and like to read in my spare time
9. My favourite book is Gone Girl (psst, I didn't like the film as much)
10. I am obsessed with Candles, the Yankee Candle brand is my favourite
11. Co-coordinating with the above fact, I have to have candle scents to match the season
12. I like to sing (badly) especially retro songs like 'If I could Turn Back Time' or songs from musicals
13. Personally, I'm more of a TV person than a film person, but love franchises.
14. I hate science fiction films
15. If I chip my nail polish or smudge it, I have to take it all off and start again, otherwise it distresses me

Lots of Love,

ThatGirlWhoBlogs



Saturday 14 November 2015

I'm Just A Vintage Soul

Hi Guys,

I went into town again with one of my most loved friends Tamzin. We went with the idea of doing some vintage shopping, before discovering that novelty items are quite expensive and with just £7 in my purse, it probably wasn't going to be enough. However, we had a good mooch around and ended up skipping in the rain and laughing, whilst our hair was being sprawled across our faces in the wind.

The shops we visited were lovely and if I was a millionaire I probably would have bought the whole of every shop. Below are some pictures of little gems we saw inside or along the way, enjoy!



Lots of love to those who need it, 
#PrayForParis 
ThatGirlWhoBlogs 







Friday 13 November 2015

Clinique All About Shadow Quad In Pink Chocolate

Hi Guys,

I thought I'd return with another make-up post, since I've recently rekindled my love for the Clinique Quad in Pink Chocolate.
This was gifted to me about 18 months ago and I loved it and then, as newer products came to my attention, it kind of sunk to the bottom of my make-up bag. But, in the past few weeks, I feel as though I've been given this for the first time and am appreciating it much more than I did when I first got it!
I've looked on the Clinique website at this quad and I think that the packaging has changed, but the colours are still the same and are as beautiful as they always have been. There are four shades, hence it being a quad, one a pale matte pink, the second an almost matte light brown, the other a shimmery pink and the final shadow a lovely dark brown, perfect for the outer corners of the eye. I would say all the shadows have an element of sparkle in there, which I like, but the first and second are definitely less shimmery than the final two.
The packaging has a mirrored effect and is very sleek and slim, ideal for travelling. All of the shadows blend well and and compliment each other perfectly. I like to wear the pink one all over the lid, with the light brown in the crease, blended into the middle and the dark, chocolatey colour on the outer corners.
At £29.00, this product is certainly a luxury item, but will take you through from Spring to Winter. My tip, for this time of year, would be to use the second one all over the lid, and just the last shade in the crease with a nude lip... utter perfection!
Au Revoir Mes Amis!
ThatGirlWhoBlogs x


Wednesday 11 November 2015

Book Worm Wednesday

Hi Guys,

Something a bit different today - a post about a book. You may not know that I am a massive book worm! I have always had a passion for reading and writing books since I was very young and I would like to start to do these "Book Worm Wednesday" posts as a bit of a series. So, every time I've read a book, I'll give you a small run down and a review. This may not appeal to some readers but I think that a few of you may share my love for reading and be interested in my opinion on various novels. It might even inspire some of you to read more, if you catch a post about a particularly great book.


Over the past 6 months or so I've been reading John Greens 'Paper Towns'. Usually it doesn't take me that long to get through a book, but I read the first half in about 3 weeks,before a crazy period came up in my life and reading was just not a priority. I then read the second half within 2 weeks and this book really got me back into reading and encouraged me to make more time for things that I love to do. I adore nothing more than snuggling down, my fairy lights in behind me, with a good book.

The story focuses on the main character, a teenage boy called Quentin. When he was a child, he discovered the body of a man, who had committed suicide, with his best friend Margo. Since he was young, as well as being his best friend, Margo was also his crush. However, now the two have grown up, circumstances have made the two grow apart. Margo has become popular and Quentin fades into the background, but loves the friends he has. One night, Margo jumps through Quentin's window and the two go on a wild escapade, pranking the people who have wronged the two of them. Shortly after this, Margo goes missing and Quentin is left heartbroken, constantly wondering about what could have been. Then he finds clues, that he believes could leave him to Margo's disappearance.

I'm not going to delve any more into the story, as much as I would like to, just in case any of you are reading this novel at the moment or are interested in reading it.

I liked the simple storyline of this book and generally love John Green as writer. I tried this book out, purely because I fell in love with 'The Fault In Our Stars' and John Greens use of words. I think that, as an author, he looks into the deeper meaning of things and truly understands the significance of life and looks at ways different characters see the world and the journey of their own lives. There is a lot of deeper meaning behind this novel, and despite the ending not being as I had hoped, I really enjoyed how John Green presented it. I like love stories and with the element of mystery there, it made the plot unique. However, some parts were slightly drawn out and I felt like some of the mystery bits could have been made more interesting to really give a sense of tension and anticipation. On the other hand, I thought it was good to have the story written from a males perspective as so many romance novels are from a females point of view. You truly develop a soft spot for Quentin and there is some comedic content that makes the novel a joyful read and really witty. I would say that any genre would get on well with this book but, considering the age of it's characters, is probably aimed towards people aged between 11 and 17. But ,of course, I'm sure anyone would find this book a delightful read! Overall, I would give 'Paper Towns' an 8/10

Also, follow me for blog updates on twitter

Bye,
ThatGirlWhoBlogs


Sunday 8 November 2015

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick In Black Cherry

Hi Guys,

Above everything, Lipstick is probably my favourite make-up item. I love how it can transform a look and I enjoy experimenting with different colours and brands. My preference would be for a lipstick to be dark and berry toned and since it's Autumn, these kinds of lipsticks are really in season.

I've recently been trying out 'Black Cherry' by Revlon as I discovered, from watching a Zoella vlog, that it's a dupe for Charlotte Tilbury's 'Glastonberry'.  This lipstick is renown for being one of the best for Autumn/Winter, but comes with a hefty price tag of £23.00.

'Black Cherry' was £7.99 from Super drug, a fairly reasonable price for a lipstick in a gorgeous colour.
When you first remove the lid, the lipstick itself seems scary, as it's almost black in colour. However, as you can see in the swatch below, it's a bit more sheer when applied. For darker lipsticks, I like to use a lip liner beforehand (I would recommend the Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner in 'Plum') or a lip brush, to line the lips with the lipstick itself, before applying to fill in the rest of the lip. For this lipstick, this is definitely needed, as wobbly lines will stand out a lot more than they would with a pink lipstick or a nude.
It has a creamy consistency and doesn't drag across dry lips or cling to any creases or chapped areas. I know... lovely! Ha Ha! It also lasts for a good few hours but after a maximum of 4, I like to re-apply. I'm in love with the colour and think, in photos, for events or on an evening out, this lipstick is perfect! The only problem I have with it is that the more I put on, the patchier it gets. Instead of filling in the patchy areas, it seems to just drag the product around my lips, making it harder to create a fully opaque look. This can be combated if you leave yourself time, when putting on your make-up,to keep applying, using dotting motions and a lip brush.

I would give the lipstick an 8/10.

Au revoir Mes Amis,
ThatGirlWhoBlogs


Saturday 7 November 2015

Girls About Town

Hi Guys,

I'm not going to lie to you, this was going to be an OOTD, but the weather was rubbish and rainy, so me and my lovely friend Tamzin raced around our home town and took some posy pictures instead! She is going to do a similar blog post,with different photos so go check it out and tell her how beautiful she is!

All photo's are shot by Tamzin and I think you'll agree,they are absolutely gorgeous despite the rain, which attempted to be a real party pooper. 
        ________________________________________________________________________
Shoes: Loafers from Primark £6 
Leggings: Dorothy Perkins - Currently Unavailable But Similar Ones At ASOS 
Turtle Neck Jumper: New-look, Find One Similar Here
Leather Jacket: Matalan £26   
Bag: New-Look, A Really Stylish One Here

Follow me on twitter for blog updates and more information: https://twitter.com/izzyc_blogs 
Bye, 
ThatGirlWhoBlogs 









Sunday 1 November 2015

Letting Go Is Easier Than Holding On

Hi Guys,

When I created this blog, it was to free my mind and to let my thoughts run wild across a page. But, at the same time, I wanted this blog to be a safe space, not just for me, but for my readers too. I had images in my mind of this being a way for people to break free from the pressures of every day life, whatever they may be. Therefore, know that even though most of my posts are light hearted, this space is also a place for people to feel safe and to de-stress.

This brings me on to what I want today's post to be about, as it is something quite relevant to my life at the moment.

As a person, I find that I think about certain things too much, one of those things being; caring about what people think. There I said it - I'm a people pleaser! But I believe that this is a trate most humans have and is something quite nice about a person. However, it can lead, especially for me, to holding onto things that no longer need holding onto.

I had a falling out with a close friend quite recently and now we no longer talk. But I don't think that one falling out is capable of breaking a friendship. What I think, is that my friendship with this girl had cracks in it and as time went by, we drifted apart and were still trying to hold onto a relationship that wasn't there, because we were being loyal to the people we used to be.

I'm not a believer in the idea of people changing, I have more faith in the theory that people grow and develop into who they really are. So, over time, me and my friend, let's call her K, developed and in the end,were no longer compatible. I could tell that I annoyed her and, for me, she no longer had the same beliefs as I did and that was the problem.

Nearing the end, things became so fractious,that falling outs would occur often and I sometimes found the things she'd say,to be quite harsh and the words she used to speak to me, personally wouldn't have been the ones I would have chosen to talk to a friend. Let me tell you, I'm all for laying my cards directly on the table, but I also think that some things should be left unsaid,to keep the people I love happy and their feelings still in tact.

Despite me having issues with this and becoming upset, I never spoke to her about this and never ended the friendship. I feel like I should have told her that our time as close friends was running out and we no longer shared the same feelings about each other as we did when we first became friends. I should have ended the friendship, in the best way possible, whilst still remaining civil with her, instead of just blanking each other like we've barely ever spoken before.

I suppose the reason I never did those things, is because I was always hoping she would change and that our friendship would morph into what it was at the start. I was still holding onto the person she was a year ago and not the person she is now. I should have realised this sooner and let go a long time ago.

I'm glad that I've shared my story with you and I hope it's made some of you who are, perhaps, in difficult friendships or relationships realise that holding on is very hard and letting go, despite how daunting it may seem, is actually easier. If someone is making you unhappy, or you find yourself not relating to someone any more, just make the choice to move on, because the person who you need to make happy first - is yourself. Also, if you have just fallen out with someone and are finding the aftermath difficult because you miss that other companion or partner, think about what you're really missing. The friendship? Them? Or the person they used to be?

Lots of love to those who need it,
ThatGirlWhoBlogs

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