One of my goals in 2020 was to be happy in my space. For me, this meant feeling happy and relaxed on my room, as well as feeling more organised.
My room is average sized, and I had all the basic items in my room of course. But last year my goal was to feel like it was MY space that felt like a reflection of my personality and style. That’s where the big bedroom makeover of 2020 came in. My mum and I went to IKEA, Dunhelm and some vintage shops and found great items for my room. This wasn’t all about buying new things, but repurposing what I had too.
My favourite spot!
You can see the new wallpaper here which I LOVE! It has made the biggest change to me. We got this fantastic IKEA unit which helped with my storage problem, and gave me an extra place to do my makeup. I arranged some items in an ✨aesthetic✨ way to style up the unit! I added some bits and pieces to make it feel authentic and true to me.
Here I have some decorations to spruce up my unit. These make me feel really happy just to look at them every day! I added this cute plate with some candles. Fragrances on a mirrored surface I have always loved so I did that too!
I’m so happy to have these changes to my space and I feel accomplished in my goals looking around these items. I want to get me into keeping things looking good in my space so I hope this inspired you too!
Today’s look is one of my favourite outfits I have ever put together! I’m wearing some pieces that I’m in love with and haven’t worn much before and therefore I felt really happy and confident in this outfit. I wore this to go shopping in Winchester and I had a great time and felt great. This look is made up of two colours: black and white, and if you know me, that’s pretty typical of my style!
I recently purchased a new jumper from All Saints for a great price. Usually I only get t-shirts from there as the items are pricey but I fell in love with this! I’m also wearing my usual bag and accessories because I find they go with everything! Below is a photo of the look I took in Anthropologie.
This look reminds me of a mashup between early 2000’s era Gerard Way and Freddie Krueger which is quite funny really! But seriously, these captain style hats were a huge trend but I’m personally still loving them when worn with a matching outfit! This is actually a kids size hat because of my weird shaped and sized head! I have got a faux leather skirt on, but I almost wanted the jumper to look like an oversized dress more than a top. I’ve listed the items I’m wearing below!
Hat: River Island Jumper: All Saints LINKED SIMILAR! ON SALE Skirt: TopShop Tights: Calvin Klein Boots: Krush (From TkMaxx) Bag: Coach
Today’s post is another Empties post! I love reading and writing posts like this so I’m gonna get into it. Let me know your current favs you have used up in the comments!
1. fresh Soy Face Cleanser: I’m loving this product! I have already bought a new one and it’s become one of my favourite cleansers. 9/10 2. Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner: This a super refreshing product and lasts ages! 8/10 3. La Mer The Tonic: Used this lots before! A true favourite 9/10 4. Simple Micellar Water: This is an easy, no fuss makeup remover and I liked it a lot. 8/10 5. Clinique Dramatically Different Cream: I love this one! It’s rich and very moisturising. I’ve gone through a few of these! 9/10 6. Herbal Essentials Micellar Water: This brand is one I haven’t used much before! It’s a great makeup remover and I’d love to try it again. 8/10 7. Lancôme Hydra Zen Day: This is lovely cream, so fresh in the skin but gives long lasting moisture. 9/10
Becca First Light Primer: This has a purple tint, which is supposed to brighten the skin. It’s quite dewy, with a bit of a shimmer to it. It took me ages to use this up, but I honestly can’t remember it being that amazing, so I probably wouldn’t buy again! 6/10
NYX Precision Brow Pencil in Taupe: This is a super easy product to use and an old favourite of mine! I love using this as an everyday brow product. 9/10
Benefit Precisely my Brow in Shade 3 Mini Size: This pencil is quite soft and easy to apply. It’s so good for hair like strokes for a natural, feathered brow! 9/10
Collection lip liner in Nude Rose: This is the best lip liner you will get for this price! It’s creamy, easy to apply and less than £2 if you catch it on sale. It dupes many more expensive products. 9/10
Smashbox Superfan mascara: This is a great mascara for length and it does give a decent lift too! I like this for a slightly more natural lash look as it’d not super thickening but does define the lashes well. 8/10
Benefit Bag Gal Bang: This mascara is AMAZING. It’s so good, literally my favourite one ever. It adds so much lift and volume it’s crazy. It’s really just the best! 10/10
Milk Makeup Concealer: I love this but Milk Makeup’s prices on Cult Beauty have shot waaaaay up! It’s ridiculous. So looks like I won’t be buying much for a bit, I just think it’s a shame it’s gotten so expensive. This is very good though, and I would get it again. 8/10
Makeup Obsession Concealer: This is a great concealer! I actually got this on mega sale for about £2 on clearance and it’s really good. Very hydrating which I love. Sadly, I don’t think they make this anymore but maybe have a look on the website.
Hollister Cali Perfume: This is a light and fresh perfume and easy to pop in a bag for an everyday perfume. It’s affordable and lasts a long time on the skin which is great. 8/10
Beauty Laundrette Creamy Body Moisturiser: I love this! This is an airy moisturiser that sinks into the skin really easily. It smells really fruity and nice. 9/10
Rituals Sakura Hand Balm: This really helps my eczema prone hands which is great! It’s not sticky either, and has a lovely scent. I have repurchased this already! 10/10
Today I want to talk about wellness, mindfulness and life and style! Of course we have all had a turbulent year. I have been going through a personal mindfulness journey and learning some more techniques for peace and positivity. I also think there is such a think as “toxic positivity”. We need to allow ourselves to feel emotions and overcome them by acknowledging them.
“You have to feel pain for heal from it.” Harmony Nice on YouTube
I started meditation using my FitBit and practicing these rituals more often. I have found it makes time for me, as I feel more mentally organised and prepared when I have meditated. Sometimes I practice right before I sleep to calm myself, as sleeping properly has been a bit of an issue for me recently. As a side note I have been using Valerian Root extract as a sleeping aid and it has certainly been helpful. Mostly I have tried to use some mindfulness techniques to create a better atmosphere for myself. I have some tips below.
1. Journal, but only when YOU want to. I purchased a small bullet journal and wrote down my struggles, gratitudes and breakthroughs. This sounds a bit cliche, but it’s quite simple. I write things down that I want to express. If I’ve had a hard day, I write it down and try and write one positive thing to go with it. It’s not easy straight away but I have found it super helpful!
2. Updating your space. This doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, it can even be free! Fill your room or home with things that give you joy. Paint something and hang it up, add some plants or just something to organise your space. I reorganised all my makeup and beauty this year and it’s made a huge difference. If you want to spend some money, update your bedding, curtains and refresh small objects or decor.
3. Get outside when you can. Going for a walk, hike or run makes a big difference to me. Even if you don’t want to go fast, a ten minute walk in nature can help clear your mind. Sometimes I make a coffee and go for a walk, there’s something about having a hot drink or food in cool weather that feels so refreshing to me!
4. Take time alone. I have struggled for many years with keeping up to date with my hobbies. I used to read every day, I stopped. I used to draw every day and stopped. This year I have pushed myself to break through this and do more for myself. I have stated playing with paints, drawing on my tablet and doodling in my journal.
5. Keep a diary. I have been through a lot this year with schedule changes. I was furloughed, made redundant then got two news jobs. This meant lots of interviews, changes and updates. I started keeping a diary and that has helped so much. I try and check off a few tasks a day and it’s kept me motivated.
6. Stay active. I have started being much more active this year and it’s made me much more motivated. I got some new gym clothes and treated myself to some weights and bands. I try and do some cardio and weights as often as I can.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Comment below some of your fav mindful tips and tricks.
Today is a quick little outfit of the day for you! I wore this outfit walking round some shops looking for Xmas presents and some treats for myself. This is a super cosy look and great for chilly days. I wasn’t sure about the visible socks look at first but I actually LOVE it!
Coat: New Look/ Turtleneck: River Island/ Skirt: New Look/ Tights: Calvin Klein/ Socks: Dr Martens at Schuh/ Boots: MISSGUIDED (thrifted) Bag: Coach
Looking for the perfect party piece in your makeup bag? I have something amazing to share with you today.
I’m so excited to be talking about the Jolie Beauty Bomb Dot Com palette today. This is a gorgeous palette containing a range of glitter shades, in many different tones and finishes. I have used and loved Jolie Beauty for many years so thank you to them for sending this palette over for review. I have also linked their website HERE: JOLIE BEAUTY
This review features a GLITTER EYESHADOW PALETTE! This is not a sponsored post just a review to show you how cool this item is! Let’s get started by having a look inside.
Inside the palette we have a range of glitter colours that covers the rainbow and beyond. We have some deeper, jewel tones, some frosted pastel shades and rich silvers and golds. The colour selection in here is outstanding an I really appreciate when a brand goes above and beyond to create something with a huge colour range. I could see this working for lots of different looks, you could create more natural looks using the glitter sheered out with some neutral eyeshadow or do some vivid, vibrant looks with the brighter colours.
I wanted to create a look with this palette that was a bit different with a Christmas themed focus! I was so excited to try a few colours so I experimented with some of the green, gold and white shades to create a festive look. Here’s the look I created for you to showcase the palette.
I went for a green-toned look using some gold glitters! I’m really happy with how the look turned out and I’m feeling super festive as I write this. I went for this Christmassy coloured look and used a range of shades. I began by using a matte green in the crease to start off with. I then added a glitter glue to create a base for the shades from the Bomb Dot Com palette. I started off by using the deep, emerald green named “Amazon” in the palette. I layered the shade “Mermaid” over this and was amazed to see that this shade has a duo-chrome to it and is really multi-dimensional. I packed these two shades on with a flat brush and I was impressed by the opacity of the colours!
Here is a close up of the shades! After layering “Amazon” and “Mermaid” I went into the shade “Zest” and placed it on the very centre of my eyelid. This creates a dimensional look with the glitter. I then went into the shade “Sugar” and put that on top of “Zest” with a small brush. I then used the shade “Crowned” on the inner corner for a hint of gold.
Here are some swatches of the shades used! You can easily apply these using a finger or a flat, dense brush. I would recommend using a litter glue if you want an opaque look, but these pressed glitters can be used sheered out if you prefer that. I personally love the colours that I used and they all have such a unique texture. There is a tiny bit of fallout with the shade “Sugar” so I would use a smaller brush to apply this colour!
Overall, I am really loving this palette. I would definitely recommend this for some amazing Christmas and New Years looks. The colours apply really nicely and there is a great shade range for all different types of looks. The texture of the shades is lovely and they apply smoothly and layer well! I would love to do a look next trying out the pink shades so make sure to check out my Instagram @madithemermaid to see that! It would be great if you gave me a follow over there! I hope you enjoyed this post!
This palette was GIFTED by Jolie Beauty for Review.
Today I want to talk about something a bit different. It’s currently midnight as I’m writing this and I’ve just been struck with some inspiration. I feel like I want to write a really honest post about my feelings when it comes to social media and the constant desire for news items.
Don’t get me wrong, I love haul videos, outfit posts, fashion blogs and everything else that comes with style and social media. I follow lots of people who wear cute outfits and share the hottest new items from brands. The past few days I have felt this incessant, constant need to buy clothes. I spend the evening scrolling through so many websites, pretty much every single one.
And, I rarely find anything I actually want.
I have a substantial amount of clothing, probably 10 pairs of jeans, 5 pairs of trousers, 25 t-shirts, 25 tops, 25 dresses, 15 skirts. When I write that down it sounds crazy, and it’s probably a lot more than that. But still I feel like I need new items and the thing that drives me crazy is that I couldn’t tell you EXACTLY what I want. Because I know the odd few things I like, but usually I just scroll for hours and buy nothing. The thing that makes me sad is the waste of time. I spend so much time thinking about outfits and clothing and buying new pieces that I don’t appreciate the items I already have.
I want to buy new clothes today, even though I bought some on Saturday! It’s been only a few days! I wonder why this is. Maybe I should unfollow some fashion accounts for a while to take a break. Or maybe I need to look at style differently.
It’s very easy to feel we all need NEW NEW NEW clothes and makeup and homewear every single day or week but most people do not. I love fashion, I just wish I didn’t feel like I was always a step behind.
I have clothes that have lasted me years that I still like, I have items I haven’t even worn yet. To be fair to myself, I have made effort to wear items I haven’t worn yet or donate those items I’ve had for years without ever wearing. I also have looked into sustainability and try and thrift more items than ever or use second hand sites.
Sadly, I don’t feel like I have a happy outcome for this post! I’m interested to hear your opinions below. Please let me know how you combat this feeling of constantly needing new items!
Finally I’m doing another favourites post! I haven’t sat down and just raved about products in a while so I’m really looking forward to telling you my current must-haves. I would also say these are general chilly day necessities because a lot of them are focused around getting moisturised skin and a glowy look, which makes me feel amazing when the weather turns cold.
Japonesque Liquid Light: This bronzed, glowy product can be used lots of ways. It’s a liquid product with a sheer tint of pearlescent pink and can be used as a primer, highlighter or on the collarbones or shoulders. I love this as a pick me up for dry, dull skin days!
Milk Makeup Bubble Kush Balm: This is an easy favourite because it keeps my lips moisturised with an easy tint of colour! I need another one for my handbag because this adds a simple touch to bare lips and keeps them feeling smooth.
Tarte Rainforest of the Sea foundation: If your skin needs a dewy, luminous coverage then this is the foundation for you. It’s sheer, buildable and it matches my skin really nicely. I always use a buffing brush.
Bodyography Timber lipliner: I haven’t used much from this brand, but this lipliner has quickly become a favourite of mine. It’s easy to throw on with any gloss for an autumnal lip look, and I always grab it when I’m not sure what look to go for.
BhCosmetics Bahama Bronze blush: I’ve had this FOREVER and I always go back to it! It’s gorgeous for giving some life back to the skin and so easy to wear daily as it’s such a simple colour. No fuss, easy and blends very well.
Smashbox Vitamin Glow Primer: I’ve been using this most days to create a glowy foundation base. It’s also great as a skincare item due to the different vitamins that it contains. Bonus points as it smells like a freshly peeled orange!
BarryM lip rehab: This will be the best £5 you ever spend! With avocado oil and a glossy texture, this mask helps to rejuvenate lips. Mine have been much better when I’ve used this consistently!
I’m so excited for today’s blog post! I have been really trying to up my fashion and style game lately and over the past few weeks I’ve taken lots of outfit photos. After lots of pictures and throwing clothes everywhere whilst getting ready, I finally have a full lookbook for you! These are all outfits to inspire you for transitional weather which I usually call that awkward period where it’s both too hot and too cold at the same time. All of these can be adjusted for your own climate. For example, with a dress I would add tights and a jacket for colder days or go without for warmer days. I really hope you enjoy, so let’s go ahead and get into it.
This first look is a little more dressy and great for a colder night out or evening date! I’m wearing a simple black ribbed bodycon dress which keeps you cosy but it’s sleeveless so perfect if it warms up. I’ve paired it with an oversized check blazer and some simple black and gold accessories. This look is inspired by street style trends and I love the oversized blazer looks.
This next look is a classic, easy autumnal look. This is totally inspired by blogger Alex Centomo who you should definitely follow for some great outfit inspo! This look features a boho but slightly grunge style and I’m wearing some of my favourite items. This is a super easy look to recreate!
Top: River Island, Flannel Shirt: Urban Outfitters, Jeans: Hollister, Boots: Kurt Geiger.
This is another slightly more dressy look and is perfect for a date night! I love this dress and the boots combined and I think this would be great even on chiller nights because of the cosy elements. I actually got this dress on Depop which just proves you can find great items second hand.
I really hope that you enjoyed these looks and I’d love to hear about your favourite fall trends in the comments below! I’m so pleased with this lookbook and I hope to do some more in the future. Please let me know what you would like to see!
I’m going to be going through my rubbish today!! That’s exactly what it feels like anyway! I always hang onto empty products for posts like these because it gives me a chance to quickly and easily give you my personal review on lots of products. I can also keep track of what I use up a lot and what my favourites are. Today I have a big range of different products so let’s go ahead and get into it. Items with a * were gifted!
1. Clarins Hydra-Essential Cream: This face cream is super lightweight in texture and is very refreshing. I really like this before makeup as it moisturises but doesn’t take ages to settle on the skin. 9/10. 2. Mineral Essentials Micellar Water: This was fantastic for removing makeup and I would definitely purchase again. I haven’t seen this brand many places so I will be on the lookout as it’s very effective. 9/10 3. Drunk Elephant Beste Jelly Cleanser: Honestly, I wasn’t the biggest fan of this. I think I paid about £18 for this in TkMaxx and even then it’s expensive for a cleanser but I really wanted to try the brand. It didn’t really do anything for me, it smelled quite soapy and just didn’t impress me at all. The packaging is also a bit dodgy as too much comes out at once from the screw top. 3/10 4. *PIXI Glow Tonic: I’ve reviewed this before so I’ll keep it brief! It’s one of my favourites ever! 9/10 5. Nip + Fab Cleansing Pads: These are very refreshing and make skin feel smoother and hydrated. I use these as an extra step before makeup to prep the skin and I really like them. They can be a bit pricey for pads but they last a long time for sure. 9/10 1. Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless foundation: This foundation is so popular but I just don’t think it’s good for my skin type. I have dry skin and I never got on with this very well but the coverage and shade range is very good. 5/10 2. Laura Geller Spackle in Champagne: This is nice but takes so long to use up that it’s gone off! Gives a nice glow to the skin though. 7/10 3. Beauty Bakerie Flour Powder in Yellow: I loved this powder so much! It really kept my makeup on and prevented oil pretty well. 8/10 1. Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil: Used this before, a classic favourite! 8/10 2. Makeup Obsession Brow Goals: This was quite a hard pencil and I wasn’t a huge fan of the packaging but for the price it’s pretty good for definition and wear. 7/10 3. MUA Brow Pencil: Two of these used up! AMAZING for £2 and comparable to higher end products. 8/10 4. Benefit Gimmie Brow: Again, a huge favourite of mine. So easy to use and always works perfectly. 9/10 5. ABH Brow Wiz Gel in Soft Brown: This was actually really nice! Only thing is it dries up a little fast but great for your makeup bag. 8/10 6. MILK Makeup Kush Brow Gel: This is probably one of my favourite products ever! I need to repurchase this because I loved it and it lasts forever, definitely a new staple. 9/10 1. Maybelline Lash Sensational: This is such a great mascara and I really need to get it again. It’s affordable and perfect for everyday use. The brush is also the perfect shape. 9/10 2. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes: I love the design of this mascara from the brush to the packaging but I wish it was a tiny bit thicker. However it is a great everyday mascara for defintion. 7/10 3. Makeup Forever Excessive Lash: This is a great texture but does tend to flake on me without a lash primer which is unfortunate. 6/10 4. Too Faced Better Than Sex: First time trying this and it’s a new favourite! I like the brush a lot. 8/1 1. Clarins Lip Oil: This product is fantastic and I love using it when my lips are feeling super dehydrated. I seriously need to get another one because it’s just perfect. 9/10 2. Jouer Lip Creme in Terra: I bought this because of Nikkie Tutorials and I really did enjoy it for a time! I haven’t heard much about Jouer recently as a matter of fact. This is a typical liquid lip and I find it a tiny bit drying but nice colour. 8/10 3. Rituals Cherry Blossom Perfume: This is a gorgeous fresh floral scent and I loved wearing it in the summer. It’s long lasting too! 9/10
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