Beyond Imagination

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!

What is on your Summer wishlist?

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

Shop this post and more:

May 14, 2018 8 comments

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.

Using this system is equally as easy: undergo your normal steps of removing makeup; apply your desired cleanser to the brush (I use the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, but Clinique recommend the specialised cleansing formulas: Foaming Sonic Facial Soap, Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Gel, Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam or City Block Purifying Cleansing Gel); dampen the head or skin; begin to massage in circular motions for 15 seconds on the cheeks using the lighter grey or white; massage your t-zone in up and down motions for another 15 seconds using the darker coloured bristles and then simpy rinse, pat and moisturise.

Clinique recommends you to start using the brush once a day and for 30 seconds. Just to note, the brush automatically switches off after each 30-second interval, which is helpful in knowing how much you've done or if you've gone overboard! However, I tend to cleanse for one minute, as I believe that in 30 seconds I have only washed half of my face!

After using the Clinique Sonic System, I always find that my skin is ultra smooth and feels so clean, I don't think I will divert back to using my fingers. At first, I was sceptical of using this brush, as I didn't know if it would be too harsh on my acne-prone skin. However, the specialised brush heads cater for this, and I have had no problems so far! So, overall for me, this is definitely worth the price, plus it is so easy to use (easy interchangeable heads depending on your skin type and a simple charging station)!

Have you tried a brush cleansing system?

May 11, 2018 35 comments

I know it's a struggle to even comprehend waking up at 6:00AM every morning (it was for me too); everyone wishes for an extra few hours in bed. I also know that it is so easy to fall into a lazy routine, especially if you work from home, luckily I go to school during the weekdays (yet I still am a morning person on the weekends!). The added bonuses of becoming a morning person are definitely worth it: I have the whole day ahead of me which gives me no excuses to complete what's on my to-do list! For me, it's totally worth it, and it will be for you too!

So, I have compiled together my top 5 best tips for becoming that morning person...

1. Be prepared the night before

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.

2. Don't scroll through social media prior to falling asleep or immediately after waking up

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!

3. Create a clean and calm space

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.

4. Stick to a strict schedule

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.

5. Don't snooze

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.

Are you a morning or night person?

What does your routine look like?

May 07, 2018 60 comments

May 04, 2018 10 comments

April 30, 2018 26 comments

One of my main goals for this year (and the following years) is to experience more cultures which means travelling to more places! I have always wanted to go on a Summer girl vacation, so I have put together a list of the top places I want to travel to (in Europe)!

I have actually visited Paris twice, but to me, this doesn't count, as I wasn't old enough to fully enjoy it and take it all in. At that age, I wasn't into blogging or photography or Instagram so I couldn't capture the beauty of the loved city. Also, can I point out, each time we went it was miserable weather, so definitely not one for the sights. When I do go back again (which just may well be this Summer, fingers crossed), I want to explore more than just the tourist sites and delve into the heart of the Paris lifestyle, eat at secret coffee shops, stroll down the back streets, and even test out my GCSE French? I think I am equally as excited to buy some Parisian-esque clothing! I'm already planning the outfits and photo locations!

Another location which is #instaworthy is Amsterdam. My dream would be to stay alongside the canal, in either a classic narrow house or even a boathouse. What I love about this city, is that it is such an easy city break trip, but one that can be packed full of places to go, eat and shop. Not forgetting, the Anne Frank Museum would be a must and the Van Gogh Museum too. I also think I'm in love with the whole city lifestyle/etiquette - cycling everywhere or getting to places via boat sounds like my kind of thing.

Copenhagen in the Winter months - yes, please! Yet, another area with great opportunities for some stunning photographs (I think you'll see a pattern here, don't worry it's not all for the gram). The architecture is so colourful - almost out of a book. What's not to love!

This location is slightly different to the rest, in the sense that it's more than just a city break. Positano is a classic Pinterest lover, and I'm sold! Its location is ideal for exploring the Almafi Coast, plus Capri is only 25 minutes away by ferry. I've also heard there are some spectacular hikes with award-winning views when complete - a challenge worth taking.

With the hillside village in the background from the beach - the views look stunning. This city-break is definitely one to catch a tan!

That concludes my round-up of the top European travel spots. Just writing this post has made me so excited for Summer, and what could be around the corner! Let's hope I can tick some of these destinations off and even add some more...

What's on your travel bucket list?
Would you want to see a world travel bucket list?

April 27, 2018 16 comments

Podcasts are my go-to when working (both blogging and schoolwork), going to sleep and whilst doing the everyday tasks around the house. Therefore, I have so many stored up in my library, ready for each occasion. My taste in podcasts varies from humorous entertaining episodes, serious girl chats ( I think these might be my favourite) and deep topics of conversation.

So, today I put together a roundup of my favourites in two parts (part 1 features those with two hosts and part 2 those with one!)

Table Manners with Jessie Ware

Jessie Ware, a British singer-songwriter hosts a podcast alongside her chef extraordinaire mum Lennie, in which she invites celebrity guests (ranging from fellow musicians, political figures and food critics), to basically overshare for an hour. Needn't I say less? Lennie is absolutely hilarious, with the dynamic between the two equally as stomach-wrenching, with so many laugh out loud moments. This podcast happens over dinner (as the name suggests) cooked by Lennie, and it always sounds so delicious. Tip -don't listen to it when you're hungry.

Crash on my Couch

A podcast from the YouTuber couple Arden Rose and Will Derbyshire, who are some of my go-to raw people on YouTube. I always love the podcasts which feature YouTubers or bloggers because I feel as though I can connect better with them - it must mean something if I can sing their theme song off by heart! What I love most about their podcast is the fact that they include different segments of which my favourites include the 'weekly idiot' and conspiracy theories (I'm a sucker for those). Within the podcast they also interact with their followers - giving them 'gold stars' if their question comes into conversation. This is an easy to listen to podcast - one that doesn't need a lot of attention, and one that you'll get hooked to instantly.

Ladies Who Lunch

Another YouTuber podcast, involving Cat Valdes and Ingrid Nilson, inviting you to join them at their table to discuss thought-provoking and often taboo topics. This is a podcast that I 100% always go back to, and re-listen to my favourite episodes, as the advice coming from two perspectives (they often do clash in views which is interesting to see how two close friends deal with situations differently) is so valuable in everyday life. The perfect one to listen to when you're craving that girlfriend advice.

Girl Boss with Sophia Amoruso

The name behind 'Nasty Gal' and the New York bestseller and now hit Netflix show 'Girl Boss', Sophia Amoruso hosts her own podcast interviewing boundary-pushing women, who have marked their name in the industry. You should expect raw conversations and honest advice from some of the most famous women (Sarah Jessica Parker, Miranda Kerr and the founder of DryBar just to name a few), which makes this podcast not only inspiring but also one to laugh along with. On the more serious side, this podcast is informative, finding out about how they got to where they are - utterly inspiring for those #girlbosses.

Don't Blame Me!

Yet, again another YouTuber podcast, but they are so good, I can't help myself! This time hosted by Meghan Rienks, acting as an agony aunt for her listeners who call in with their problems regarding relationships, body image and friendships. The aspect of 'calling in' is my favourite - getting to actually hear a real person's problem makes everything seem 10x more real. Yet, Meghan doesn't take herself too seriously, with the advice given as if it were between two girlfriends. Some episodes will feature guests, allowing another perspective and advice to be given, which helps change the dynamic and break up the routine every so often.

This concludes the round-up of my (current) favourite podcasts, and I'm sure you'll all be hooked sooner or later! If you haven't delved into the world of podcasts, I highly recommend you to start right now - the list above will keep you entertained for hours - and coming back for more! There's more where this came from - I've got so many more podcasts stashed away, so maybe that calls for a part 2?

What are your favourite podcasts?

Would you want to see a part 2? Or my favourite specific episodes?

April 16, 2018 32 comments

April 13, 2018 22 comments

April 09, 2018 32 comments

Even though I may have not been on the blogging scene for quite some time, I have still been on the look out for hyped up products to review. Earlier this year the infamous 'life-changing' spray hit our shelves in boots.... We had all heard its claims on renewing dull, oily skin so finally I could now put it to the test.

Before we get started on the actual review, I'm going to tell you a little bit about my skincare history. Some of you may already know this, if you have read any of my previous skincare posts, that over the past few years I have suffered from quite severe acne, mild hyper pigmentation (redness to the skin which also causes breakouts) and very oily skin. It started off with the occasional breakout, which I was able to clear with a simple gel, but it gradually changed to more redness and angry spots. I have been at the end of my wits with how many products I have tried from creams, tablets and gels- none of these have helped in the long term. Therefore, I was willing to give anything a go, especially a two-in-one product that would target both my oily skin and breakouts.

As I am targeting large areas I personally use this product daily, both morning and evening. There are two main ways of applying this toner - by spraying it directly onto the face (or desired area) which is what I tend to do or you can use a cotton pad to dab it on. However this way I think is less effective and might not have the full outcome that you have aimed for. Once the skin is dry I go in with an oil-free moisturizer, followed by any other treatments. The can sprays a very fine mist that doesn't leave a wet sheet nor the feeling of it being sticky therefore it is great for a mid-day freshen up on those very humid days. The ingredients are simply made up of water, sodium chloride and zinc sulfate and it works like a toner to mattify the skin by tightening pores. It is also said to be soothing and to help purify the skin by cleansing it of any nasty bacteria!

After the first night, I was a bit apprehensive on what the results would be, however, I could see a noticeable difference of my skin. It had magically reduced the size of my spots and calmed down the redness. It has been a week since buying this product and I can proudly say that 20% of my spots have disappeared, but still my red pigmentation is lingering. I have also been trying to cut out dairy products from my diet, which I can proudly say is definitely working (comment if you want a post on this..)

Overall, this product has helped my skin calm down but in the long run I don't see any major noticeable improvements. I do have to admit, that this spray is perfect for cooling down the face throughout a hot day - perfect for summer and holidays. I will still carry on using this product and will definitely give you any skin updates in the near future!

P.S. One reason why I have not been updating my blog as frequently is because I am having some issues with photos and the quality. So it is quite a hit and miss... Apologies in advance. Oh and also I would love it you filled out this survey if you have a sister/daughter who is aged between 4-8! click here to go to the survey

November 08, 2015 5 comments

Over the past few weeks I have had a sudden interest in astrology and everything that evolves around it. So I have decided to create a series on the various star signs. Each post will go in depth on a specific star sign, including facts, characteristics and their personal life. First up is Aries...

NAME | Aries (The Ram)
DATE | 21st March until 19th April
ELEMENT | Fire
PLANET | Mars - war and lust
COMPATIBLE STAR SIGNS | Leo, Taurus, Sagittarius and Gemini
LUCKY NUMBERS | 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 1 , 10, 19, 28, 37, 46, 3, 12, 21, 30, 48, 57
LUCKY DAYS | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday

ARIES' CHARACTERISTICS:
Your zodiac birth sign represents new beginnings which is why Aries-born individuals are always full of spirit and have such high energy levels. Aries have incredible self-confidence, power and zeal, this makes you very strong in your opinions and some might think this goes hand in hand with having a large ego. They love having new projects and must start these projects immediately otherwise Aries loose interest. They love and aspire to be number 1, the winner. They want to be the best and work well under adverse situations, meaning 100% is always put in. Aries become impatient very easily and tend to provoke others in situations. The Aries man is known to be "innocent" and "hard to get". The Aries women is known to be "elegant" and a "women on a mission!"

CAREER STYLE:
Every Aries needs a stage where one can express themselves and shine. You love to work independently so setting up a business can be very fulfilling as long as others help with the cash! You are a born leader who loves to be in charge and as the warrior sign, you embrace any challenge, and champion every project you take on.

LOVE STYLE:
When in love, Aries is a one-on-one person. You put your partner first in every matter, but you expect some in return. Aries love giving their full heart and attention into the relationship, often playing the heroic figure. But often your temper can blindside you at times and end up saying cruel things. Being the sign of 'self' you must always maintain a strong sense of who you are as individual, if you want to succeed in love.

FRIENDSHIP STYLE:
Aries are independent and might not 'need' many friends but you are supportive of a close circle. You want to rule with adventurous and ambitious people who are doing exciting things.

Do you relate to the Aries?
What's your zodiac sign?

P.S if you have any F.A.Q questions leave them below!