Monday Musings

photo featured above is my own

Happy Monday!

I'm not normally one to write inspirational posts. I like the simplicity of writing a post about my current favourite face cream or my lipstick collection, but today I feel different. I've woken up somewhat positive and feel like spreading that positivity. 

I've had this blog for a few years now and although it is mainly just my hobby and not my full-time job, I feel like I'm always happy with the direction it's headed in. I love having a little play every now and then to decide how I feel about the layout or the content, and I adore the fact that it's something very personal to me and it's all mine to do what I want with. 

Something I don't speak about often (mainly because this is a beauty and fashion blog rather than a detailed insight into my life) is that I write novels on the side of my job as a beauty advisor. In the same kind of way, the time I spend writing fiction is similar to the time I put into my blog, apart from the fact that the ratio of how much time I spend on each is completely incomparable. It's the chance for me to spend a little time switching off from the stresses and pressures of life and focus on what I really like to do, but also I get something out of it. I'm planning on getting my latest book published. It's a teen fiction or young adult novel with a hint of a thriller attached to it. I've been posting chapters of different books I've written over the years on Wattled and am soon to begin doing that with the latest one. Once its finished (I've given myself a three month deadline) I will be sending it off to a few publishers to get an insight into what may need improving. Hopefully one day somebody will enjoy reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it and just like this blog, it will get me somewhere I could never have dreamt of going. 

For now though, I will continue using my random little bursts of inspiration and positivity to focus on what I love doing, and enjoy it while I can. 

Always focus on you, no matter what it is you love, and never give up. 

xoxo

The Game-Changer Miracle Cream

Just as any avid beauty blogger, I'm always open to any new 'wonder creams' on offer, whether it be a pricey skincare routine staple worth every penny or a bargain cream which is underrated and worth more than it's RRP. A friend recommended this bargain cream from none other than Aldi, at a steal price of £6.99 and I couldn't stop thinking about her rave reviews until the moment I added it to my basket. I tried it straight away and fell in love with the immediate effects. 

The brand is Lacura, which I've never heard of before and the cream is called Caviar Cream. The reason is that one of the main ingredients is caviar extract. Having never knowingly tried a cream with a caviar extract, I was interested to see what different kind of effects it would have on my skin. The jar recommends use for people between the ages of 40 and 60, as it's main intention is for cell renewal and wrinkle reduction. Obviously at only 21 I wasn't too bothered about achieving anti-ageing benefits, but I'd heard it was good for problem skin in general. 

You apply the cream like a mask using the small soft brush to do so. I applied it quite liberally to begin with and only left it on for 3 minutes like it suggests. It stung a lot and I worried I might have been experiencing a reaction, but apparently it's just because it gets to work so quickly and removes dead skin cells to reveal fresh, younger looking skin. The first thing I noticed when I washed it off was how soft it left my skin. I left it for a while before applying a gentle night cream. It wasn't until the morning that I realised just what it had done for my skin. 
The next day my skin was brighter, softer and smoother and definitely had a lovely glow. The few blemishes I had on my skin the day before had dramatically reduced and looked less red and on the road to healing. I couldn't believe the effects after just one application and wanted to apply it again immediately the next evening. 
Of course it would have been silly to apply it too frequently as the packaging suggests it works best if you only use it twice a week. I will continue to use it and see the effects it has in the long term as well as immediately. 

I will be back very soon with a brand new post, thanks for reading! 

xoxo

Summer Fragrance Favourites

Hi Lovelies! 

It's been a while since I've done any posts, and believe me, I have missed it! Life has kind of got in the way of blogging for me at the moment, and as my blog has been (and kind of still is) under refurbishment, I haven't been able to put fingers to keyboard since before Christmas! I thought I'd get back into the swing of things with a lovely summery post, and what better way to celebrate summer than with fragrance?

I'm a huge fragrance fan, and find that I'm always discovering new fragrances to fall in love with. Just lately, I've swapped my winter scent wardrobe (yes, that's right, I have fragrance wardrobes) for a summer one, and I couldn't be more excited about it. 

Pretty Summer Day Out Fragrance - Miss Dior 'Blooming Bouquet'

Miss Dior EDP (the original) has long been one of my very favourite fragrances. I loved it so much that I didn't even see the point in trying any variations, as to me, I just wouldn't love them as much as the good ol' original. I was wrong. I tried blooming bouquet - which is a lovely, fresh, light EDT - and completely fell in love with it. It's a delicate, pretty fragrance which is light and easy to wear, and supplies you with a beautiful breezy scent which smells just like spring flowers. It's perfect for a summery day out, be it a picnic, lunch date or even just a walk in the park. 

Sizzling Summer Beach Date Fragrance - Estee Lauder 'Bronze Goddess'

Estee Lauder are no stranger to their beautiful, successful fragrances, and Bronze Goddess is certainly no exception. Everyone and their mums absolutely adore Bronze Goddess and as its a summer exclusive and only limited edition every year, there's always a mad scramble to grab a bottle before it all sells out! It's warm, soft and sweet, with a fruity, coconutty base note which just takes the brain straight to sizzling summer days and nights. It's not the strongest fragrance, so I would say it's more of a day time scent, as it's technically not an EDP or EDT, it is described as an Eau Fraiche Skin Scent. I can always imagine spritzing this over warm, sun kissed skin for a hot day trip to the beach.

Hot Summer Evening Out Fragrance - Lancome 'La Vie Est Belle Absolu'

Lancome are yet another brand which tend to wow with their fragrances. They have a plethora of well-known, well-loved scents which never disappoint. I have loved the original La Vie Est Belle EDP for many years, and only recently tried this stronger, richer version, named Absolu. It's a more intense version of the widely popular, sweet-shop smelling La Vie Est Belle and gives an extra kick of spiciness, zing and warmth. It's perfect for an evening out as because it's so powerful, only one spray is needed. 

These are my firm summer favourites, what will you be wearing this summer?

See you soon! 

xoxo