Christmas Beauty Buys

Hi Guys,

I was bought a lot of beauty items for Christmas and I've really been enjoying them. By using products that are more upmarket or from brands, I can't normally afford or wouldn't try, it has inspired me to go for quality over quantity and to seriously think through the beauty purchases I make, instead of just throwing stuff straight in my basket.

Yves Saint Lauren Touhe Eclat 
This retails for around £29 I believe and is something I have always wanted to try, but could never justify getting. It's a combination of a creamy highlight/ concealer and is designed for under the eye, on the top of the cheek bones or brow bones. For me, I like high coverage, due to feeling self-concious at times about my acne and I would say, for this product, it's leaning towards the highlighter side, rather than to conceal. However it's easy to apply and does draw brightness to my eyes. This is also a gooden for the brow bone and the inner corners of the eye, or a little strip down the nose.

                                                 

Collection Blush And Glow Pallete 
I'm surprised I haven't heard more about this product cos' it's amazing and such a steal for £3.99 at the moment! It supplies all your contour, highlight and blush needs in one! I actually bought this myself, but with money I had left over from the Christmas season. The contour is a medium matte brown, your usual contour shade, and is semi pigmented - I have definitely seen better, but for £3.99 it does the job for me. As far as pigmentation goes, its the same for the highlight - but it's still beautiful and shimmery. The blushes, however, are very pigmented! You receive two in the quad a gorgeous matte pink and a coral shade with gold shimmer.

Kiko Long Lasting Lipstick - 04 Pearly Tangerine
I got this as a gift at Christmas time and having never tried any Kiko products I was excited but nervous. It is such a turn up for the books! It's matte and stays on the lips for hours. Due to it's formulation it's not as creamy as other generic lip products, but I don't mind this. It' s a really unique colour as it isn't quite a coral as it's also pinky as well - beautiful for the spring.

Real Techniques Powder Brush
YES MY REAL TECHNIQUES COLLECTION IS COMPLETE! No, I don't have all the available brushes, but I have all the brushes I've wanted over the past few years and have a brush for everything I put on my face, which is enough for me. Like all the brushes in the collection, the powder brush is synthetic and super soft and I imagine, easy to clean. It is quite big, so makes it quick and simple to apply powder in almost one stroke.

Mac #15 Pallete - Charcoal Brown, Honey Lust, Star Violet, Cranberry 
Me and Tamzin both twinned with getting this palette at Christmas. She, lucky gal', got all 15 eye shadows. I received four, which I am extremely happy with as it meant I could receive other fantastic beauty products for Christmas, instead of putting my eggs all in one basket. It also allows me to visit mac more and enables me to build the rest of my palette up myself. Although, I am slightly jealous of Tamzin when she sends me pictures. I've only slightly tried Honey Lust and Cranberry, but decided I need to update my eye-shadow brushes if I am to get the full potential out of them HAHA! The colours are lovely to look at and seem really pigmented - I'm one happy bunny.

Nip + Fab bee sting eye cream 
I searched around Kiehls for ages, to try and find a good creamy eye cream. I didn't want anything anti-ageing (I hope I'm not quite there yet) but wanted something creamy and luxurious that would diminish the look of fatigue and puffiness, that I sometimes get around my eyes. But I couldn't justify spending nearly £30 on a small pot of something I'd never tried. In fact, I've never tried any eye cream ever! So I nipped into super-drug and hastily picked up this little Nip + Fab number! I really like it. After one night, my eyes looked brighter and the darkness underneath had certainly lifted slightly. I've continued to use it and can really feel and see a difference. It feels tighter around my eyes and it makes me feel more awake before I put on my make up.

That's all folks! Comment what you got for Christmas.
Lots of Love,
ThatGirlWhoBlogs x

2016 Goals

Hi Guys,

This is a spontaneous post but is something I really wanted to do and believed to be a good follow up to the previous post I did- 2015 Overview. I've set myself lots of stuff to keep up for 2016 but daren't call them resolutions just in case they fall through and I don't manage to complete them.

1. Be healthier 
I say this every year, but always keep this one as a kind of "side resolution" as well as another main one. However, I'm really committed to being healthier, happier; whilst losing weight in the process. I recently invested in a pair of scales and after a few years, finally know exactly how much I weigh. I was slightly overwhelmed by my weight but am not going to sew my mouth up and refuse to eat just yet! I just want to make better choices with what I eat and stop snacking on chocolate in between meals!

2. Be more relaxed 
I'm quite a high maintenance person unfortunately and sometimes really wish I could relax more and let things go. Resting is not second nature to me and this year I'm going to make it a priority. I need to not be so controlling about things that aren't perfect and just chill out a bit more.

3. Be more adventurous 
I have travelled a few times in my life so far, but have never done many activities that have challenged me or thrown me out of my comfort zone. This year I have more opportunities to do some more outgoing things and am really looking forward to experiencing cities I've never been to, taking hikes, zip-wiring and river scrambling this year.

4. Be more forgiving  
I feel like my goals so far make me out to be a real control freak, but I feel I do the goals I've set, just not as much as I should. I'm a forgiving person, as long as the person I forgive is worthwhile. I like to give people second chances but I can sometimes be long winded in when I talk through the situation with that person/people. This year I'm just going to laugh off the insignificant things and just use a bit of banter to deflect off the things that hurt me a little bit.

5. Make 2016 the best year possible  
I really want a excellent year this year and to enjoy every moment that I can. I want to savour everything I do and remember the whole year, instead of just segments. Usually, by Christmas I forget that Easter even existed. I hope this years a good one, for me and for all of you.

ThatGirlWhoBlogs x

2015 Overview

Hi Guys,

I think that I owe you, my many friends, an apology. I promised you something that I, eventually, never achieved - some Christmas posts. I underestimated how busy I was during the festive period and became swamped with the visits from friends and family. A friend advised me to re-launch my blog, as it's been that long, but I like my set up and I don't think a fresh layout will deter from the fact that I've been away a while.

If you can forgive me, I hope you enjoy this post of a reflection of  some of my achievements and events 2016. I'm not sectioning them and I'm just gonna let the words, from my mind, flow freely to the keyboard - like writing a diary almost.

I came a long way in terms of my anxiety last year and whilst experiencing minor set backs, I feel like I rocketed in terms of my confidence around things that enduce my anxiety and last year managed to fly to and from Portugal without any tears or panic attacks. Flying has previously been difficult for me as I don't feel in control and don't like that I can't get off and go home if I feel uncomfortable. I also have a fear of my ear-drum bursting after seeing it happen on a flight when I was young. Sometimes, the holiday itself can prove challenging as I don't have access to the things I'm normally used to and feel immense pressure to go out every night and eat a hefty three course meal. In 2015 I did it! I flew calmly and enjoyed the holiday whilst feeling calm and relaxed the whole time.

This isn't an achievement but it is something I will endlessly treasure from the year of 2015 and that is gaining a beautiful friend in Tamzin. She is so inspiring to me and despite experiencing challenges often, she never fails to make me laugh and I believe, she is a person who doesn't know her own strength. I love having someone relate-able, yet uplifting around me. I also can't knock the support of my other friend Eleanor who has never left my side and has supported me through times, which I have found testing. She is someone who understands me better than many and I can learn a lot from both Tamzin and Eleanor.

I really valued the festive season last year and really tried to squeeze the most out of that Christmas time. I now feel lighter and happier than I ever have before and after loosing quite a lot of friends, realise that it's quality not quantity. But, I've learned to forgive easily and be more relaxed about situations that might irritate me. You may say, I'm just opening up to people disappointing me by trying to see the best in people, but no matter how I am, everyone disappoints. It's better to be happy and know I was kind and forgiving the whole way through. I'm no mother Teresa and will probably be as much of a Regina George as I was last year JOKES.

I can't wait for what's to come! Look out for a 'Christmas Beauty Buys' Saturday! It will be up I PROMISE!

Lots of love,
ThatGirlWhoBlogs xxxx

Christmas Q&A

Hi Guys!

I feel like to start the Christmas posts off with a bang I have to introduce it all with a Q&A! I personally love reading these or watching them on YouTube so I hope you enjoy this one too!

1. Do you do anything whilst counting down to the day?
I wouldn't say it's anything out of the ordinary, but I always have one or two advent calendars every year. As each day goes by, I end up feeling more and more festive and no one ever gets too old for these! I also have red and white counting blocks in my bedroom which I change everyday.

2. When do you put up your tree and/or other decorations? 
I don't have an annual day for putting up my tree or decorating my house but it's usually the first weekend of December and I put my decorations on the same day I put up my tree. This years theme, for me, is red and white.

3. What goes on the top of your tree?
Always been a star for me.

4. Any Christmas pet peeves? 
I love everything Christmas themed. However I have an irrational fear of ice and I don't like the frequency of viruses that get passed around - but I don't think anybody does.

5. What do you eat for Christmas dinner?
It is different every year. There is no consistency for me and my family. The meat always differs as sometimes we have pork or chicken, but this year we are having the traditional turkey. However we always dress up our plates with roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, mash, honey roasted carrots and parsnips, peas, gravy and for those weridos; Brussel sprouts.

6. Do you have any traditions? 
I believe that everybody's Christmas is individual to them and that individuality comes from the traditions people adopt. Every year we categorise the baubles before putting them on the tree and play charades.

7. Do you leave anything out for Santa Claus?
I used to when I was younger. I believe it used to be either mince pies or a cookie with a glass of milk.

8. When do you open your gifts?
As soon as I wake up Christmas morning.

9. What would you like for Christmas this year?
I'm awful - because I forget what's on my list every year. I definitely want a new fluffy dressing gown, a mac #15 eye-shadow palette, a new hair-dryer (my old one mysteriously disappeared) and other stuff, which at this moment, I cannot name.

10. Do you attend any religious services? 
 Sadly, I'm not religious but, as superficial as it sounds, I do think churches look extremely beautiful this time of year, especially when the roofs are dusted in snow.

11. What is your most favourite thing about Christmas?
I love the countdown till' Christmas probably more than the day itself. Everyone walks around with a mega buzz surrounding them and everywhere looks so festive and picturesque.

12. Do you prefer to give or receive?
For everyone that gives, there is someone that receives; so I think its fair to say I love to do both. I love seeing people's faces light up when they open a present I've lovingly chosen and wrapped, but I also love getting things I've longed for all year too. I'm very grateful for everything I'm given.

And that's my Christmas Q&A!

Happy Holidays!
ThatGirlWhoBlogs x

Festivities

Hi all!

I'm back! Been completely congested with work and life and haven't left myself time to blog! Feel like my world has totally been knocked sideways and I feel so unorganised and out of sync. However I am willing to get back on track and prepare loads of Christmas themed posts, some being with the help of Tamzin!

So, it's only 12 days till' Christmas. I must admit, this year I am totally organised and have all the cards written and all my presents wrapped. This is so unlike me so this isn't a bragging type of post, this is just a fluke. Usually, every year I am so unprepared; with wrapping ripping, bows disappearing, pen ink dribbling and smudging across the crisp pages of card. But this year I'm on it and am endeavouring to get the most out of my Christmas and all the great things that come with it: The films, the food, the decorations, the excitement etc. Because, normally, I get so caught up in focusing on the day itself, that I waste the beautiful joy of the build up to the 25th.

I've been really good at maintaining my low anxiety levels recently, although I feel I let myself down with a massive panic attack a couple of days ago. I'm really annoyed at myself, even though it's nothing I can control, as much as I would like to. The bad thing is, panic attacks, for me, take forever to shake off and it seems like forever to achieve the 100% tip-top feeling I felt before it happened and I'm praying it doesn't affect my Christmas spirit and countdown, because it is something I'm really treasuring.

This is kind of a little update, since I've been gone for a few weeks but there will be more entertaining posts soon. Once there is no more work and I have more free time, the posts will increase and my dedication will completely be for you guys and this blog. Expect some Christmas decorating posts, some Christmas tags, baking and much, much more!

Bye for now! 

ThatGirlWhoBlogs x

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

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