This podcast is new to me and new as a whole! Everyone has probably heard of Casey Neistat who shares his life on YouTube, and so it's no surprise that he has started his very own podcast alongside his wife, Candice. This podcast delves into their personal life, in which they discuss candidly the ups and downs of their marriage (me being nosey, I definitely wanted to hear this), friendship, parenting and their lives in the YouTube spotlight. It is also interesting to hear the view and voice of Candice, which we wouldn't normally hear, and the more personal view of the pair. This is definitely a must listen, even if you're not a Casey Neistat fans.

This podcast isn't my usual go-to genre and theme, yet after listening to just one episode I am hooked. Conducted by Emily Dean from The Times, she interviews various comedic friends, whilst well walking the dog! This makes the podcast seem so natural and flows effortlessly, just as though your walking beside. They talk about the weird, the wonderful, the funny and the extraordinary. If you are put off by the aspect of it being a comedy, don't be fooled, as to be honest I enjoy this podcast just as much as any other (I think it's the interview which does it!).

Again, another new discovery of mine which I was so excited to give it a listen as it bloody Ferne Cotton!! This podcast follows her successful bestseller 'HAPPY', and this is equally as successful by delving into unlocking the inner happiness. She chats to inspiring individuals who have either made a change in their own life or who help people every day to find a different way of looking at life; revealing what happiness means to them.  The conversations are so raw and real, which takes this topic to an extra level on meaningfulness. By far, my favourite episode has been with Stephen Fry (it's an emotional one), with Alexandra Shulman coming a close second!




This concludes my second round up of podcasts, to keep you going through this half-term! There is a podcast for everyone, plus they are all free and are a great source of entertainment for an evening chill or a getting ready supplement. The choice is yours! 

What are your current favourite podcasts?

Before I schedule my post or hit publish, I make sure to re-read my whole post, to check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and any other changes I can make. I usually try to do this a few hours after initially writing the blog post, and even better a few days. When I come back to it, I have a fresh mind, and spot mistakes I previously hadn't. It is also helpful if you have a second person to proofread your work, with a fresh perspective in mind. To prevent simple grammar mistakes, I recommend installing the programme 'Grammarly' onto your computer - it simply highlights any mistakes you have made and how to correct them. 

When previewing my blog post, I always like to check my photos. I like to make sure they have loaded properly, are the same width as the main chunk of text and are not blurry or grainy. Images are the first feature that people see when landing on your page, so having them correctly aligned gives the post a professional look. I only started doing this recently, and it has become so beneficial to the overall design of my blog. 

Once my post has officially been published, I immediately promote my post via social media, mainly on twitter. This platform is amazing for getting the initial readers of the new post, and gaining a continual flow of readers and traffic into the blog. I currently use HootSuite, to help me schedule tweets throughout the day - this platform is absolutely free - and is great to tweet old and new posts. I also recommend inserting some hashtags and accounts into each tweet, to increase the audience and readership of each tweet. My favourites include @femalebloggerRT, @BBlogRT  and @GRLPOWRCHAT. Using this tip is so helpful to gain traffic and new followers, especially if you have a low initial following on Twitter. 

I don't think I have mastered the art of Pinterest in gaining traffic, but I always do pin photos from each post to again promote! I always pin to my 'On The Blog' board and then any other relevant boards, including the group blogger boards.
You can follow my Pinterest here: follow me 

Just to note: this product is quite heavily scented, yet I personally love it as I find it quite soothing and calming. But if you are sensitive to strong fragrances then maybe this product is not for you.

In regards to the size, you get 50ml of product, which equates to roughly 10 applications. Yet, depending on how much you use and where you use it, I think that you can definitely get more for your money (even though this product is already cheap!) For reference, I have used this mask around 4 times and have barely dipped into the jar!

After using this mask multiple times, I have definitely seen an overall difference in my skin texture and complexion. Straight after use, my skin feels super soft, which gives it the perfect base for any makeup application. The next day my skin is glowing and radiant, and on top of that, it smells amazing! So, whenever I see a breakout forming, I instantly gravitate towards this product and can be guaranteed it will reduce the overall size of the spot and redness.
I use this mask around 2-3 times a week, depending on if my skin needs the boost and a pick me up.

As this product is targeted for an equivalent of an at-home facial, there is no wonder that this product has so many benefits. If you are willing to buy all three masks (detoxifying & brightening charcoal mask and exfoliating and smoothing red algae mask), you can create your own multitasking facial routine - the concept is all about using different masks for different parts of your face and treating the skin where it needs it. For me, my skin only needs the one!

My overall thoughts:

I would definitely repurchase this product, and for only £7.99, it is definitely worth the money! This product has been a life saver for my skin, reducing spots and creating an even and smooth complexion. Immediately my skin feels fresh, clean and purified - it works wonders! This face mask is going to be a staple in my skincare, becoming one of the holy grail products. I cannot wait to try out the other masks in the range, and see what other clay face masks there are. 

When it comes to being a new blogger, it can be hard to get your name out there, and equally as hard to get your first initial view or follower. This can be so frustrating, especially when writing just one blog post takes time and effort. Despite this, there are multiple easy and simple ways to increase your blog traffic instantly.

One of the biggest tips for increasing blog traffic is definitely the wording of your titles. People are always looking for solutions, tips and answers daily, so by creating titles that bring this solution (e.g. 'Top 5 Tips to Become a Morning Person' or 'How I Cleared My Skin') will instantly bring the traffic.

Active on Social Media

Clear Design

Stay Consistent

Create Shareable and Beneficial Content 

The posts which drive the most traffic for me are ones which are helpful for my readers, usually by sharing my tips and tricks (like this blog post!). This type of content is perfect for sharing on Pinterest and I've found that I get more engagement and interaction from these posts. Linked to this tip, is the idea of the catchy titles. 

What do you do to increase blog traffic?

Lately, the British weather has been tempting us with what feels like Summer, and so immediately I have started to create my Summer dreaming wishlist. For this, my go-to place is ASOS, as they have so many online brands and such a wide selection to choose from. This Summer, I am wanting to (slightly) step out of my comfort zone, and choose pieces which are fashionable but also 100% comfortable and wearable. 

I definitely want to stock up on some more dresses, as they are so much more comfortable than denim shorts (a statement to be debated). On the wishlist currently, includes this amazing off the shoulder black dress, featuring large tortoiseshell buttons, a trend that every shop is picking up. The classic sweetheart neckline, which is so flattering on the chest, and over-the-top sleeves creates Parisien dreams! This makes the dress a winner in my eyes. It goes to show that everyone is loving this item, as it has been sold out for weeks, ASOS please re-stock this!

Related post: New Arrivals from Topshop

Another style of dress that I want to try out this year, is the square neckline. I ventured into this trend with tops, but not dresses. The brand Daisy Street is constantly coming out with new designs, and this particular yellow check is giving me total Clueless vibes. What I also love about this dress, is the fact it can easily be layered over a t-shirt, shirt or jumper, so it is the perfect transitional piece from the day to the night, or from Summer to Winter.

Another item of clothing that I want to get more of is wide-legged trousers.  Pull & Bear and Bershka are both bringing it with their trouser game, including these grey culottes, with a simple tie, creating that perfect illusion of a cinched in waist. This season I am all for flowing and lightweight materials (basically not denim!) so these would be perfect.

What is on your Summer wishlist?

What's your favourite place to shop for Summer clothing?

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After having a rough skin history, I have always tried to keep my routine as basic and as simple as I possibly can. This includes a total of four products, which switches from day to night. However, I have started to slowly implement new products that won't disrupt my routine but enhance it. This is where the Clinique Sonic System comes into play.

Priced at £79, this brush system is still cheaper than many on the market, including the Clarisonic. It is worth to mention that this product is always on offer, as I snatched mine at half price! So, be sure to continuously check in your local Boots.

So let's run down what the Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush is all about...

The waterproof body gives you the choice to use this product in the shower, whilst the anti-microbial bristles can work hard at providing a deep and gentle cleansing for your skin. Therefore, the provided head (Clinique Sonic Purifying Cleansing Brush Head - the green and white brush) is perfect for all skin types. The angled tips allow you to target those t-zone areas, cleansing the areas which your fingers usually wouldn't, giving you the ultimate squeaky clean cleanse. The perks of using a cleansing brush within your routine allows any residue makeup to be lifted and removed. 

Clinique also provides the opportunity to purchase other interchangeable heads, depending on your needs and specific skin type. So, I decided to choose the City Block Purifying Cleansing Brush (pictured on the body below), priced at £17. This specific head has charcoal infused bristles which aim to draw out pollution, dirt and oil to deeply purify and cleanse the skin. I usually like to use this brush head at night, especially after a long day at school or in the city.

I always follow this tip especially during the weekdays, as getting myself prepared the night before is so beneficial. It helps to save time in the morning, when I know I wouldn't want to be rushing around, and it prevents me from forgetting anything. This usually includes packing my school bag, pre-making lunch or even breakfast, getting together my outfit, printing out work and writing the mornings to-do list.

One of my worst habits (that I still need to break), is instantly checking my social media minutes after I wake up. I then consequently lie in bed for an extra two wasted hours! Instead, you need to train yourself to instantly get out of bed and fully become awake - for me, this is washing my face and eating a good hearty breakfast!

By cultivating a space that you enjoy and feel happy in, allows you to have a calm space for sleep. The best part of the morning is waking up in a bedroom that you love. 

In order for all these tips to actually be set in stone, you have to stick to a schedule, and be strict! By following a plan, you will get plenty of sleep the night before. I believe this is the ultimate trick for becoming a morning person. By getting enough sleep, you'll wake up feeling energised, making the 'getting up' an easier task. So, try to go to bed at the same time each night, and wake up at the same time! Also, don't forget to continue this schedule into the weekends, otherwise your body clock will be thrown off. 

Before you're a morning person pro, your best friend will be the alarm clock. Until you have trained your body clock to naturally wake up at 6AM, the snooze button can be very tempting. The extra 5 minutes in bed can turn into an extra hour. If you're struggling to get rid of this habit; place your alarm clock on the far side of the room; in an area where it is still in hearing distance but far enough to physically get out of bed.

Blogger Aimee Song and New York Time's Bestselling Author of Capture Your Style showcases her feminine style, yet isn't scared to go bold. With over 4.6 million Instagram followers, she's my go-to-girl for head-to-toe fashion inspiration. Not only does she document her style, but also her travels and exotic locations. For me, she is as close to my own personal style, as I love her play on the contrast between feminity and tomboy style. 

I love Tezza's range of styles: from Californian teen to business women on the streets! As she is a creative director and self-stylist, you can count on her for imaginative photos as well as a rocking style. 

If you want to channel all Parisien vibes, then follow Monica (who is actually Spanish!). The rocker of thigh high boots and oversized jumpers, Monica's style combines luxe high-end and the 'I've borrowed my boyfriend's jumper' look. She owns the classic blogger style, and I'm all for it! Som particular pieces she wears (hint: the telephone jumper), remind me of a retro twist thrown into her everyday style. 

If you're a fan of red and neutral tones, then @livelyus is your girl! Her style is so simple, affordable and re-creatable, she has the perfect feed for a quick style fix.