The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Reviver

Vitamin C Skin Reviver, 30ml - £14.00

I am such a huge Body Shop fan. You name it, I probably own it. Which probably isn't really healthy, I mean who needs to own one of each of their body butters?! Well, I do! Upon recommendation I bought the Vitamin C Skin Reviver which is a serum and also a Body Shop best seller. I haven't looked back since.

Before using the Skin Reviver my skin was really dull and I suffered from large, red, blotchy patches on my cheeks. Since using the Skin Reviver I'm now finding that my skin is glowing and there are even days where I feel that just tinted moisturiser is plenty to wear, or even no foundation type products at all, and that has never happened before!

The Vitamin C Skin Reviver aims to enhance natural radiance, gives skin a silky smooth finish and contain light reflective particles. Another brilliant factor of this product is the silky smooth finish. I have never experienced a serum that leaves your skin feeling as soft as the Reviver does. And of course, following the Vitamin C route, it has to smell of Oranges too!

Wearing the Reviver underneath my foundation and teamed with a moisturiser, this product has become a huge part to my everyday routine and a product that I shall forever be repurchasing. I think I shall even go as far to say that it is now hands down my most favourite body shop product. Sorry body butters, you've been pushed aside!

I'm now looking forward to trying the Microdermabrasion and Radiance Capsules from the Vitamin C skin care collection at some point in the near future. Have you tried anything from Body Shop's Vitamin C collection?!

Preloved Books

It's no secret that I love books and reading. I have a whole wardrobe full of unread books and a kindle of books which I am also still yet to read. I guess you could say my reading obsession is just as bad as my beauty obsession! Whilst at a local village summer fayre this weekend they had a huge book sale where you could buy any of the books for 50p each or three books for £1! So after a good old rummage, and Tyler becoming increasingly impatient I finally stumbled on these six books and took them home with me to be loved further.

Firstly, I found the Lauren Conrad L.A series. I've been wanting to read these for ages but still couldn't justify around £6 a book for some trashy chick-lit, so £1 for all 3 was a bargain! Secondly, I found two Maeve Binchy books together, that I am yet to read. Maeve Binchy is my all-time favourite author and my aim is to one day have read all of her books, and so far I've read a fair few! Finally, a new Jodi Picoult book for me to endeavour. I enjoy Jodi Picoult, although after watching the film My Sisters Keeper, I don't think I could stomach that book, it's way too sad. However, I do like her books with a slight chilling twist to them and Songs of the Humpback Whale sounds just like my cup of tea! So again, another three books for £1!

I think I'm definitely going to start incorporating a lot more book type posts into my blog, so keep your eyes peeled for book reviews, favourite authors and a look into all the books on my shelf!

Blogging... How I Found My Inspiration

Source.

Now I wish my desk space looked just like this!

I realise I've been a bit AWOL recently when it's come to blogging, but truth be told I started to lose my blogging mojo, big time! Don't get me wrong, I still loved reading all the blog posts which I follow, I just lost my inspiration for writing my own posts. However, after a lot of time out and space to think I feel as though I've finally found my blogging enthusiasm again, and I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has stood by me and my blog and continues to read my posts and follow me with my journey that I'm making through out life. I know that there are a lot of posts out there like this, but for those who do suffer from a lack of inspiration from time to time I just want to share my tips on how I found my inspiration again.

1. Take some time out to do what you enjoy. Don't ever get too worked up and stressed about your blog posts, because at the end of the day, it's not worth it. To me, blogging is a hobby, and hobbys should be enjoyed, not feel stressful or feel as though it is something you must do. Once you start doing the things you love, you may find your post inspiration from that.

2. Don't feel as though you must stick to one genre for your blog. I wanted to predominantly be a beauty blog, but then I realised that it's actually really expensive to always be spending my money on beauty products just so I could write a beauty post. Again, post what interests you, even if it's art, politics or skin care, as long as you enjoy the content!

3. Have a diary just for your blog so that you can write lists and notes when post ideas come to you. I find this really handy and have recently reorganised my diary so that I can now look at it to refer to for post ideas.

4. Read other blogs, this really helps to give my some inspiration and reminded me during my time-out why I love blogging so much!

5. Tags are your bestfriend! If you are feeling so incredibly stuck for inspiration do a tag! There are so many different ones out there on the web, and I love to read a good tag, it allows me to get to know the blogger so much more.

6. Post when you want to post. Don't feel as though you much schedule lots of posts. If you want to and you have the time and motivation to do it, then do it. But don't under any circumstances must you feel as though you always have to schedule lots of posts for your blog. Blog when it is convenient to you!

So this is what I've been doing recently to get me back to enjoying posting, and I hope to be able to find lots of time to sit down and write all the posts that I have planned, my notebook is bursting! I hope this helps anyone who is also stuck in a blogging rut, like I have been!

Beauty | Garnier Ultimate Beauty Oil

Garnier Body Ultimate Beauty Oil - £7.49

I really am a sucker for following the crowds when it come to new products, and I have to have them. I know I don't always buy them as soon as they're released, but you can guarantee at some point, I will purchase them and own them!

That is exactly what happened with the Garnier Beauty Oil, and I haven't looked back since. I've recently become very into my body moisturisers and I'm getting into a routine of moisturising my body nearly every day. However, when I'm a bit short on time in the morning, (but not too short compared with using a body butter- if that make sense?!) I spritz this oil all over and rub it in. With this product being an oil I was so surprised to see how quick drying it was compared to a thick body butter or soufflé.

As well as soaking into the skin really well I was even more pleasantly surprised to see how long my skin stayed hydrated for. Since being on holiday my skin has become really dry so needs lots of moisture, when using the Garnier Beauty Oil I can go a do or so long without reapplying, which to me screams winner as I can savour a few more moments sleep. Oh the things us girls do to stay beautiful - or at least resemble some half-decency on my part, haha!

Finally, the combination of Almond, Rose, Argan and Macadamia make for a lovely scent too. The scent isn't overpowering, but simply subtle. It's a scent that you could get away without wearing perfume for the day.

I think that confirms that I am a big fan of this product, and it's one which I incorporate into my routine weekly. I love Garnier products and they never fail to disappoint me! What's your favourite Garnier product?!

Lifestyle | PreVent*, A Natural Insect Repellent

And on this miserable, dull, rainy day I have been reminiscing on my incredible time in Corfu, and although I love going on holiday, the thing I hate most is mosquito bites! I get absolutely bitten to shreds when I go away, so when I was given the chance to try PreVent a natural insect repellent I jumped at the chance!

PreVent Aerosol - £5.63, PreVent Cream - £7.25

PreVent is suitable for both adults and children due to the natural and friendly ingredients it uses, unlike other Insect Repellents, which use many chemicals. By using natural ingredients, PreVent is also low in toxicity which makes it perfect for those who have sensitive skin like myself, and it makes it equally good for the environment.

Each night on holiday I used the aerosol and sprayed it on my body to prevent being bitten. However, over the course of the week I ended up with just two bites, and they were two almighty huge bites! Yet two is still a lot better than 20! The bites which I did get were incredibly itchy and I needed to find some sort of relief from it. As I was just trying anything to make it stop I applied the PreVent cream to them and it actually relieved the itching, which makes it a bonus product in my eyes if it can prevent you from being bitten and relieves the itching on the occasions where you do get bitten!

PreVent lasts for up to 8 hours, and I can definitely say that it did last all through the night which is an ideal component when looking for an Insect Repellent. Although the products do seem rather small, I still have loads left after the holiday and shall be taking them with me on my next holiday in September.

PreVent is available in the form of aerosol, pump spray, cream and wipes. I'd be interested to try the wipes next as I can imagine them to be very soothing to any bites!

Have you tried PreVent?

Beauty | A Little Bit Of MAC, Benefit And Lush

Although I may have been having a slight quiet spell on my blog recently, I can't say the same for my shopping habits! I have still been avidly shopping to my hearts content and my poor bank balance's despair. In fact, this is like part 1 out of three separate hauls!!

However, one is a slight cheat. I had lots of points on my boots advantage card so decided to buy Benefit's Lolli Tint when it came out, after falling in love with the colour from swatches on many blogs - yes, I'm a follower and not a leader!

Next, I took a little trip into Lush as my skin has been going crazy at the moment and I wanted some organic products to help with my oil levels and these face masks were recommended to me along with a few free samples of moisturisers. I picked up Dark Angels and Mask of Magnaminty.

Finally, during my absence, MAC released their Fantasy of Flowers collection, and as they had many beautiful items, it would of been rude not to pick a few bits wouldn't?! Which is why Azalea In The Afternoon Blush and the Rose Lily Lipstick have ended up in my make-up collection. Opps!

Full reviews of each product shall be coming soon!

What have you been buying recently?!

Beauty | Elemis Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash

Elemis Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash, 100ml - £13.00

One thing I'm trying to do most at the moment is use up all my samples that I have accumulated since I started blogging. It is through this that I am finding myself falling in love with products which are new to me, one being this Elemis Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash.

This exfoliator is part of Elemis's Teens to 20's skincare range and is designed to leave skin clean, brighter and more radiant, which I certainly feel it does. This has now become my go to face scrub as I find it to be soft on the skin compared to other facial exfoliators which leave my skin feeling red and raw. My other reason to love this product is it's incredible scent. The scrub is infused with Mandarin, Aniseed, Cherry Powder and Jojoba beads, and it is the most gorgeous combination of fragrances thrown together ever!

For 100ml's of product, the exfoliator retails at £13.00, which I believe to be a reasonable price for a high-end brand, and for a product which compliments my skin so well. Once my sample runs out, I will most definitely be purchasing a full sized product, along with trying out some of Elemis's other skincare products. I can see it being a holy grail item to my skincare routine! I have never felt so much love towards a facial exfoliator. This is definitely a sign of getting older!! 

Have you tried any products by Elemis, what would you recommend?

Beauty | My First Delve Into Kiko

On a trip to London with my boyfriend we walked past the Kiko store and I couldn't believe my ears when he agreed to let me do some shopping in it AND accompany me which is where I picked up this beautiful palette and amazing eyeliner.

I've always been very drawn to Kiko's palette due to their gorgeous colours and pigmentation which I was incredibly pleased about with this palette too. Although Tyler had agreed to let me do a bit of shopping, I knew he meant 'but be quick!' with the eyes he gave me! And this palette satisfied my want to try Kiko cosmetics. At the till whilst paying, the assistant also asked if I wanted to purchase their eyeliner and I was sold as soon as he said it doesn't budge all day, and it really doesn't it's the best eyeliner I have ever bought!

The palette and eyeliner came from the Limited Edition Dark Heroine range and the palette is the 02 Street Taupe Variation and the eyeliner is in shade Panther Black. The collection has now ended, but I managed to still get them in the sale. The palette consists of 5 shimmer/glitter shadows and 1 matte shadow, which is perfect for a smokey look that I like to create. If you like mostly mattes then this palette isn't for you. I however, love glitter and shimmer shadows! As you can see from the swatches, the pigmentation of the shadows are brilliant, and worth their value. Both the palette and the liner have great staying power, and there is minimal fallout.

This beautiful palette is the start of a beautiful relationship with Kiko and I've already placed my next order!

Have you tried any products from Kiko yet?!

Lifestyle | Hello Summer,

Two months later and I'm back with a post for you all!

I know I've been awfully quiet recently but with the end of the University year fast approaching I had so many deadlines to meet and essays to write, along with a lovely weeks holiday in Corfu. I'm not the sort of person to cope well under pressure either, so my life seems to go on hold whilst I do what I have to do in order to restore it back to normality. Today however, I submitted my last essay for the University Year and shall not return until October now. So that's plenty of time to work hard and save some money, along with regaining my life and social life back!

So this post isn't entirely boring, I'll show you a little of what I've been up to. I'm also thinking of doing a post on surviving your first year at uni, if you think it would be beneficial, let me know!

 Tyler and I one evening in Corfu.

 Our hotels pool and a slight show of our private beach.

 A beautiful sunset one evening.

I traded in my iPhone for the new Samsung Galaxy S5, you'll soon notice the photo quality change in this post!

 Tyler brought me Preston the Penguin for Easter!

The most amazing brownie from Harrods, look at the size of it!

 There is always some sort of funky street entertainment going on in London!

 It was my cousins 17th birthday, and my Auntie was having a throwback and going through all the old photos! I'm on the left, aged around 4.

 I've started the Juice Plus diet, and so far I'm 9lbs lighter!

I can't wait to get back to posting a lot more regularly, and I already have lots of posts planned! So watch this space!

Beauty | My Latest Highstreet Shop

 If you're wondering that this a heck of a lot of make up then well... it is!.. But I did buy it in two shopping trips and not all in one go, I just thought that as I was late with doing the first haul I would put it all together to make one! Boots has just been my best friend and my bank accounts enemy recently, and yesterday I look at the amount of unused make up which you can probably see down the side of my blog on my Instagram thumbnails, and even I am slightly ashamed! But I'm going to make a more conscious effort to use my products up more! But I wonder how well I'll get with that.. As I'm writing this post, I have only just noticed and am now rather annoyed that the Natural Collection Lipstick which I've picked up is actually in Rose Bud and not in Pink Mallow like I wanted. Damn you testers in the wrong places and me not checking! Oh well, gives me another excuse to buy another lippie! But I haven't swatched it yet, so if you've swatched or own Rose Bud then let me know what you think of it! So these are all my beauty buys which I've brought recently!

- Soap and Glory Dr Spot Super Strength Break Out Clearing Jel | £8.00
- Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water | £4.99
- No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water for Normal/Oily Skin | £9.50
- Garnier Ultimate Beauty Oil Skin Perfector | £7.49 

- Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Rose Bud | £1.99
- L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Privee in Cheryl's Nude | £8.19
- L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Privee in Julianne's Nude | £8.19
- Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti | £7.99
- Revlon Colourburst Lacquer Balm in Demure | £7.99
- Revlon Colourburst Lacqure Balm in Vivacious | £7.99
- No 7 Natural Blush Tint Powder in Coral Flush | £8.00
- Seventeen Trio Eyeshadows in Metallic Toffee | £5.49
-L'Oreal Colour Riche Les Ombres Quad in Infiniment Bronze | £7.99
- Seventeen Superlash Mascara in Black | £6.99
-Bourjois Little Round Pot Intense Extrait Eyeshadow in 03 Sand Rose | £6.99

In The Home | Canvas Design*

I was recently offered a great opportunity to review a Canvas from Canvas Dezign. As soon as I was contacted I immediately had an idea in my mind as to where I would put it and the sort of picture I wanted. However, I had no clue it would end up being so big! The Canvas which is displayed in my photos is 18"x24", however, there is a wide variety of sizes from you to choose from. You can also order your canvas in different styles such as portrait, landscape, square, panoramic and custom made canvases which I think is a great feature, as you can then really tailor your canvas to your photo. Along with the different sized canvases are the different prices for each size, which are the most reasonable I have ever seen, especially for the quality of the canvas. The smallest canvas which is a square 6"x6" retails at £7.99 and the largest square canvas, 40"x40" retails at £59.99. Prices for portrait and landscape canvases are cheaper.

I was also really impressed with the quality of my canvas as the original photo which I sent them was a photo of a photo using my iPhone 4, and the original is slightly pixelated. The actual canvas material is of great quality as they only use artistic 100% cotton canvas which is really thick and soft at the same time. Finally, it was my Mum who most impressed with this factor, (I don't really know about my woods!) the wood which they use for the canvas is a good quality pine, and I'm happy to say that all materials are sourced here in the UK too!

Once I sent off my picture for my canvas I was really impressed to learn that they have 48 hour delivery and for any order, it is always free, which is fantastic - especially for any last minute presents! Your canvas is then sent to you through a courier where you receive a text telling you the date it is going to be delivered and if no one is on that day, you can arrange for it to be delivered another day. On the day of delivery you are also sent a text in the morning with an hours time slot of when your canvas will arrive, which I think is a great feature and means I don't have to sit in all day waiting and can plan my day that bit better! Once I received the canvas I couldn't believe how well packaged it came in order to prevent any damage happening to it.

I was so impressed with the service from Canvas Dezign that I will definitely be using them again in the future and although the photo I have is of my Mum and I, I'm keeping it for myself, although I am contemplating getting her, her own one for Mothers Day, of one of her beautiful landscapes which she loves to capture, as with the quality of the canvas it will look utterly stunning.

For all my readers I have a 15% off code if you enter BLOG15 at the checkout when purchasing your canvas, perfect for any Mothers Day presents or even a treat for yourself! 

Beauty | Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Perfume

 Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Perfume 30ml | £23.00 at Boots | Link.

I am, and probably always will be a Nicki Minaj lover, I love her music, her style and her ability to be unique and not let anyone put her down or their opinions influence the person she is. I guess I love her so much because I want to be like that, to have the confidence 100% of the time to not be afraid to be who I am.

Around this time last year Nicki released her Perfume, Pink Friday, named after her debut album and as soon as I saw and heard about it I knew I had to give it a whiff! When I saw the bottle I couldn't help but smile to myself, it is very true to Nicki. A unique bottle of her where you have to pull off her head in order to squirt the perfume. Now a lot of celebrity perfumes can be rather quite sweet and there are only a select few which I really like, and I expected this to have that really sickly smell to it, due to Nicki's very loud and over the top appearance which she is renowned for. However, I was pleasantly surprised and fell in love with it straight away. It's the perfect scent for Spring/Summer which is why in the colder months I've tended to not wear it. Within the fragrance there are top notes of Starfruit, Italian Mandarin, Boysenberry, Fresh Gardenia,  Lotus Flower, Jasmine Petals, Creamy Vanilla, Caramelised Pear, Skin Musk and Sheer Woods. As you can see it has rather a fruity and floral scent to it which isn't heavy and over-powering by any means, it's actually rather light which is why I prefer to wear it in the spring and summer months.

I know perfume reviews can be hard to write as each fragrance smells different to each individual but I just wanted to share with you one of my most favourite perfumes as I like these kinds of posts and will always check out perfumes in Boots or Superdrug through blogger recommendations when I'm a bit stuck as to what to buy!

Have you tried Pink Friday by Nicki? What did you think?!

Beauty | Elf Lip Balm SPF15 in Pink

Lip Balm SPF15 | £3.95 | Link.

A while ago I purchased a lot from Elf using their brilliant discounts. There are always two things which I'm immediately drawn to and one is Lipsticks and the other is Lip Balms, when I saw that Elf did these really pigmented balms I knew I had to have one.. or two.. or more! However, with Spring just around the corner, this is my perfect Spring pick.

The balm's come in five other colours as well as the pink and they aim to relieve and soothe lips from chapping and cracking, and protect them from the UV rays, which makes them perfect for Spring/Summer. It does have a rather strong peppermint smell to it, so if you can get over that then you'll be fine. I'm not too fussy about the smell, just glad it doesn't tingle like the Sexy Motherpucker!

I wouldn't say that this is my best or holy grail lip balm because it isn't, and it just works like any other normal lip balm, yet it does add plenty of moisture to my lips. However, the reason I do love it so much is because it's the first  Lip Balm which I have come across that has been as pigmented as this one by Elf, and for £3.95 or even cheaper if you wait for the 50% off codes, it makes it even cheaper and worth it's value for money!

Have you tried any of the Lip Balm SPF15's by Elf, what did you think?