Dear 2015

Dear 2015,

Wow. You've come and gone in what seems to be a blink of an eye. It genuinely feels like it was only a few weeks ago that I was seeing in the new year and saying goodbye to 2014. Oh my, how things have changed since then. 

When January came around, I headed back to school having not undertaken any of my GCSE's and feeling extremely stressed. I was excited and scared for what would come in your 365 days here, you didn't disappoint. I left school, had my prom, finished my exams, started college and most importantly, enjoyed myself.

After 2014 being a bit, well, crap, my main aim was just to enjoy 2015. I decided that it was time to start actually living, and that's what I did. I lived 2015 for me, and I don't regret a second of it.

Of course, there were a few rubbish times but I didn't let that ruin my year like I did in 2014. I feel like I really came into myself this year, and really defined who I am as a person.

This January, I'll be headed back to college to study a subject I actually enjoy and feeling nothing but excitement for the future.

Goodbye, 2015, and thank you for just being great. I really do hope 2016 is just as amazing.

Happy new year!

Dear December

Dear December, 

I'm writing to you slightly early this month. I want to write to 2015 as a whole before the end of this month, and so I decided to say goodbye to you now.

You were amazing. Christmas is obviously my favourite holiday and I'm so sad it's over. However, it means I can now start looking forward to next year!

I've been so happy in your time here, December. I've noticed how happy everyone else has been as well, the Christmas spirit really is something magical.

I don't have much else to say, December, other than thank you.

Winter Must Haves

December is my absolute favourite month. I love the build up to Christmas and the excitement for the new year. I thought I'd share my winter/Christmas must haves that I've been loving so far.

Red lipstick is my best friend in the lead up to Christmas, whether that be a bright red or a more berry tone. My 3 favourites for this time of year are Kiko's Velvet Mat lipstick in 606 Fire Red, MAC's lipstick in Sin and Rimmel's Kate Moss lipstick in 107. All of these have a matte finish because I personally believe that suits me the best. I'd definitely recommend you check these lipsticks out for the festive season.

Now for perfume, the scent I've been loving recently is 'gingerbread' from The Library Of Fragrance. This smells just like gingerbread but in a good way, you don't smell like a walking gingerbread man, even though I'd probably quite enjoy that. It smells warm and wintery, the perfect Christmas day scent.

I love being able to wear super glittery nails at this time of year. Glitter looks amazing over a dark colour and the glitter topcoat I've been loving is Essie's summit of style. Recently I've been putting this on top of Barry M's Watermelon, which is a lovely dark forest green colour, or Raspberry, which is a gorgeous berry red.

Taking care of yourself and your skin is especially important during the winter months. I love having a bubble bath using this Beauticology body wash in the scent gingerbread, it's not great as a body wash but works perfectly if you use it as a bubble bath. After getting out the bath, I enjoy using  the Body Shop chocomania body butter. Being a bit of a choco-holic, I looooove the scent of this. Finally, it's important to keep your lips moisturised during winter, especially if you're going to be wearing dark/matte lipsticks. The lip balm I've been using the most is the Body Shop's born lippy in Passion Fruit.

Obviously, Christmas music is a massive part of December. I popped into HMV about a month ago and found this Christmas vinyl from Frank Sinatra and had to pick it up because I'm an old lady and adore Frank Sinatra. The vinyl has 12 tracks, including 'have yourself a merry little christmas' and 'the first noel'. If you have a record player and find this, I'd highly recommend it.

Obviously hats and scarf's become increasingly important as the temperature gets colder. I've been wearing this tartan blanket scarf from Matalan which is huge, so perfect for the colder weather. The hat I've been loving is this cream bobble hat from Peacocks. I like this because it sits on my head really well, which is something a lot of hats don't do on me.

Thanks for reading, I hope you have a fantastic December!

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Toffee Icing

Gingerbread is my favourite thing during autumn and winter, so combine that with my love of baking cupcakes and you have some amazing gingerbread cupcakes. I've been loving making these recently, so I thought I'd share the recipe with you.

INGREDIENTS

• 150g butter
• 150g brown sugar (you can used caster sugar but it won't taste as good)
• 150g self raising flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon 

THE ICING

• 200g butter
• 50g brown sugar
• 200g icing sugar
• 2 tbsp milk

METHOD

• Preheat your oven to gas 4/180C (160C on a fan oven)
• Make sure your butter is at room temperature, then cream the butter and brown sugar together
• Crack the eggs into the mixture and mix together.
• Slowly sift the flour, ginger and cinnamon into the mixture.
• If your mix is looking a bit too dry, add up to a tbsp of milk.
• Place 12 cupcake cases into a cake tin and evenly distribute the mixture into the cases.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes. Make sure they're ready by sliding a knife into the middle of one of the cakes. If it comes out clean, the cakes are ready.

THE ICING

• Put 50g of the butter and the brown sugar into a pan and heat on a low heat until melted together.
• Once melted, add 2 tbsp of milk into the mixture and stir until it forms a glossy toffee sauce.
• Leave the sauce to cool at room temperature.
• Beat the rest of the butter until it's smooth, then sift in the icing sugar and stir until creamed together.
• Stir in the toffee sauce, add some more milk if the icing seems to thick.
• Put the icing into a piping bag and pipe onto the cupcakes once cooled. 
• Sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

Let me know what your favourite thing to bake at this time of year is,

thanks for reading!

Dear November

Dear November,

You've come and gone in a blink of an eye. 

November, you were a strange 30 days - not just for me, but for the rest of the world. In your time here we saw great loss and violence committed by human kind which shocked everyone. Why do people have to be so heartless?

However, in your short time here, we also witnessed nations and strangers coming together to help those affected. My faith in humanity was lost but also restored whilst you were here, November.

I only hope that our world never has to experience such dreadful attacks again. War and violence is not needed in this day and age, please try to make peace.

With my favourite holiday, Christmas, fast approaching, I really do hope that December gives us a good end to the year.

Until next year, 

Lily x

Go To High Coverage Autumn Makeup

Autumn has been my favourite season for as long as I can remember. I love the colours, how much there is to look forward to and the cooler weather. As a result of the cooler weather, I start to wear a bit more makeup because I'm not worried about it melting off my face in the heat (mmm sexy), so I thought I'd share my high coverage autumn look with you.

For base I of course use my Benefit Porefessional primer. Everyone knows how much I love this primer as I'm constantly raving about it, it's just amazing. The foundation I use is MAC's Studio Fix Fluid which is a high coverage matte foundation - perfect for this look. After applying my foundation, I usually find that I don't need to conceal any blemishes because the foundation is so high coverage, so I go straight in with the Collection Lasting Perfection in the lightest shade to highlight under my eyes, my forehead, my nose and my chin. Then to contour my face and add some warmth, I use my Bourjois Bronzing Primer under my cheek bones, by my hairline and around my chin.

  

I've found I don't need powder for this look unless I'm going for a night out (which lets face it, never happens), so I go straight in with the Benefit Hoola bronzer to contour my face a bit more. For blush I use the NYC Cheek Glow in 'Sutton Place Peach'. This is quite a matte blush and is a warm bronze shade with a hint of coral.

For eyeshadow, I used the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in the shade 'on and on bronze' all over my lid as a primer. I then went in with the Tanya Burr Hollywood pallete and used the shade 'gold coin' all over my lid. Through my crease and on the outer portion of my lid, I used the shade 'bookworm' and then to highlight my inner corner and brow bone I used the shade 'nude delight'. I also used a bit of bookworm under my eye along the lash line.

I created a cat eye using my much loved L'oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim and then used the Benefit Roller Lash for mascara (the MOST amazing mascara EVER).

For lips I use MAC's Sin lipstick. This is a deep berry shade which is perfect for autumn and it has a matte finish. You could always swap this for a brown toned nude if you're not as confident with a dark lip.

Thanks for reading, 

Going Private

I've always been a very open and honest person, an over-sharer I suppose. In the past it's never really bothered me that people I'm not that close with probably know what most would consider to be quite personal information. I can happily talk to anyone, even strangers, about pretty much anything, and for some reason it doesn't phase me in the same way it would bother others. My lack of boundaries in the communication world is something that has always been a part of my personality, I don't know why, I trust everyone I meet until they show me that I shouldn't and I suppose I just like talking about myself! 

Recently, however, it's started to annoy me. I've noticed that people will ask others question's about me, instead of asking me directly. They assume that they know my thoughts and emotions, simply because I've told them so much about me. I don't have stories to tell friends once we get close, because they already know everything. I no longer want people knowing about things that don't concern them.

I've made the decision to 'go private' in my personal life. By this, I mean that I'm going to try and stop over-sharing, I'm going to stop telling people information when we're not close and I'm going to stop talking about things that others are involved in. I hope by doing this that people will start to come directly to me when they want to know something and that they'll stop trying to find out things that don't have any business with them. 

My only concern is that I'll start to become invisible - I won't know what to say to people for fear of telling them something I don't want them to know.

Hopefully I've made the right decision and people will start to respect my privacy more.

Thanks for reading,

Dear October

Dear October, 

not much has happened in your time here. 

I feel like I didn't get anything done in your 31 days, although I probably did. It's almost as if I've just been floating along with no purpose. 

I felt quite down whilst you visited, October. I know everyone has down times but I hate feeling like that. Obviously I had some good days whilst you were here, and created memories that I will cherish... I just wish I got more done.

I hope that November won't be so grey. Autumn is my favourite season and I don't want to feel so sad whilst it's here, because soon enough it'll be gone.

I'm looking forward to November, I feel like it will finally be socially acceptable to be looking forward to Christmas, so I won't have to suppress my excitement for much longer.

Until next year, 

Wearable Purple Halloween Makeup

I love Halloween but this year I'm not really doing anything. Because of this, I've decided to do a heavier make up look instead of full on dressing up and I thought I'd share the look I'll be wearing on Halloween with you. 

For my face, I started off my priming my skin using the Benefit Porefessional. This primer is amazing at hiding your pores to help create the perfect flawless skin. Then I used the MAC Studio Fix Fluid, which is a high coverage matte foundation. I used to Bourjois Bronzing Primer in the contours of my face to help give more dimension on extremely round face, and I then went in with the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in the lightest shade to highlight my face. For powder, I used the NYC loose powder (I also used this to bake under my eyes and underneath my cheek bones). Lastly for my face, I went over the contour I created earlier with the Benefit Hoola bronzer to warm up my face and create a more dramatic look. If you can't go dramatic on Halloween, then when can you?!

Next, I filled in my eyebrows using my beloved Anastasia Dipbrow. I create quite a harsh brow because I thought it would go best with the eye makeup. I then started in my crease and used the black shade from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette to create a cut crease. Using the darker brown shade from the same palette, I blended out the black towards my brow, and then highlighted my brow bone using the light shimmery shade from the palette. I then patted some of the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'on and on bronze' directly onto my lid to act as a primer for the purple shadow. For the lid, I went in with a L'oreal Color Infaillible in the shade purple obsession which is, as the name would suggest, a gorgeous purple colour. Next I lined my waterline using a No7 Stay Perfect purple eyeliner and created a wing using the Maybelline gel liner in black. For mascara I used the Benefit Roller Lash which is amazing and gives you the longest lashes.

Finally for my favourite part of this look, the lips. To get the purple colour, I used the MUA Luxe liquid lipstick in the shade Kooky. I actually wouldn't recommend this product because it's very hard to reapply and becomes quite flaky after only a few minutes, but I love the colour so much. I then went in with the same black shade from the Urban Decay palette to create a slight ombre look and blended it in by putting some more of the liquid lipstick over top. I then patted some of this purple glitter in the centre of my lips to create a gorgeous iridescent look.

What are you going as for Halloween?

Thanks for reading!

Top 10 Nail Polishes

 

One of my favourite things in life is painting my nails. I love being able to change the colour of them whenever I like and how put together it makes me feel. I thought I'd share my 10 favourite nail polishes of all time with you.

I'll start of with the more Autumn appropriate ones as that seems fitting for this time of year.

I'll start of with Barry M's Raspberry. This is a wine coloured polish with a shiny finish. I love this polish because it's so opaque and you literally only need one coat.

Secondly I have the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Watermelon. I think this is the perfect shade for autumn/winter although the nail probably needs about 3 coats before it's opaque.

My third favourite is Barry M's Vivid Purple. This shade reminds me of dairy milk and I think it's perfect for Christmas as an alternative to red.

Next is the Barry M (there's a lotta lot of Barry M in this post) Matte polish in Espresso. I love this because of the matte finish which makes it perfect for this season. Usually, I use a matte top coat over it to make it super matte.

Finally for dark nails, I have Victoria's Secret Nail Lacquer in Thrill Seeker. I think this is the perfect shade for Crhistmas as it has a purple base with a silver glitter running through it which makes it extra festive.

For spring and summer polishes, I have Topshop's Boy Next Door. This is a pastel blue shade and I think it's perfect for spring.

Secondly I have Barry M's Peach Melba. This is everyone's favourite and for good reason, it's the best peachy pink shade which you have to try.

Next is Topshop's New Wave. It's an orangey-toned red that I love wearing in the summer. This polish is my absolute favourite.

I also have China Glaze's That's Shore Bright. This polish has a matte finish and is like a neon pastel purple. The only downside to it is that you need a good few coats to make it opaque.

Last, but not least is China Glaze's Too Yacht To Handle. This polish also needs alot of coats to make it opaque, but once it's opaque it is gorgeous. It's like a neon mint green which is perfect for both spring and summer.

Dear September

Dear September,

Your visit seemed short, but it was sweet.

You were good to me. I started something new in your time here and although I was unsure in the beginning, I'm so glad I took the plunge. I'm starting to meet new people and I love it.

You have taught me that I'm not alone in the way I feel, there's always someone who feels the same way or at least understands. My confidence has grown and I've realised who really is there for me.

I can only hope that October continues to be as kind to me as you were, September.

Thank you, 

See you next year x

 

Top 5 Foundations

Foundation is something that's personal to each and everyone of us, but it's always great to try out new ones in order to find our perfect match. I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you in case you want to give them a whirl.

My first favourite is of course Rimmel Wake Me Up. I'm pretty sure everyone and their mum has tried out this foundation but if you haven't... WHY? It's a medium buildable coverage with a slight shimmer throughout but it doesn't make you look shiny at all but it has a dewy finish.

Secondly we have another Rimmel product. This is the Match Perfection, the coverage is slightly lighter than the Wake Me Up but it's still buildable. It's got more of a matte finish but not completely. 

Up next is Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation. This has quite a high coverage and a dewy finish, but it can be made matte with a powder. I love this foundation for a natural look.

Another one of my favourites is the MAC Studio Fix Fluid. This is a high coverage foundation and it lasts all day. It has a matte finish which I love for a dramatic look.

Last but not least, I have the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation. This is a medium coverage and it has a dewy finish which is perfect for both dramatic and natural looks.

Dear August

Dear August,

I'm sorry I'm writing to you late. Life's been hectic of late and I haven't had the time to sit down and tell you how glad I am that you visited.

A lot happened in your 31 days here - all of which I enjoyed. You brought happiness and joy with you, and for this I can't thank you enough. I've never been prouder of myself than I was when you stopped by - I accomplished things I never thought I would, and succeeded higher than my expectations.

August, with you came celebration and pride. Two things that we don't experience enough these days, so thank you. Thank you for showing me that a little bit of hope and hard work gets you a long way. It became clear to me in your time here, that we have to go through stress and struggle in order to see things through till the end. You taught me to always follow my instinct because it's usally right.

Thank you for visiting, August. I hope September brings as much joy as you did.

Until next year,

Goodbye x

The Travel Makeup Edit

For many people, holidays usually fall within the 6 week summer break. As we're nearing September, I thought I'd share with you my travel makeup bag.

For my face, I took the Rimmel Match Perfection foundation. I thought this would be a good choice as it has SPF 10, to stop your face from burning. I normally would only wear foundation for the first few days because after that it's likely that you'll have a tan and it will no longer match your skin tone. I also chose everyone's favourite Collection Lasting Perfection concealer. After a few days, I will use this in replacement of my foundation, just to cover any blemishes. For powder I took the Rimmel Stay Matte powder to keep my face from looking oily in the heat. Finally, I took my beloved Sleek Face Form palette because it has 3 in 1 and therefore takes up less space.

Next I decided to take my Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade for my eyebrows as it's a one step process to having gorgeous eyebrows. For eyeshadow I took the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette because it's so small but you can create a good few looks with it. Of course I had to take a liquid eyeliner with me, I decided to take the L'oreal Super Liner. For mascara I decided on taking the Benefit Roller Lash as it lasts all day and makes your lashes look AMAZING.

Finally, I decided to take three lip options as you'd be able to mix and match these colours with a lot of different looks. Obviously I had to take a nude, so I chose Topshop's Saint. I decided on taking a classic red lipstick, so I took Rimmel's Kate Moss Matte lipstick in 111. Then I wanted to take a mid-toned pink, I chose a mini No7 High Shine Lip Crayon.

What's in your travel makeup bag?

Thanks for reading!