Beauty: Rimmel Wonder'fully Real Mascara Review

I received a complimentary Rimmel VoxBox from Influenster which contained a number of lovely beauty products. I've tested them out quite a bit before composing my thoughts into a review. For this review I'd like to focus on the Rimmel Wonderfully Real Mascara that I received.

Mini Make Up Haul

I squeaked with excitement when I saw that my local Boots store had gotten it's Nyx Cosmetics counter, and it was just being filled up that same day. So, I could pick anything I wanted... but as we all know deciding what to actually purchase was a real struggle. Here, I'm giving you my thoughts on the make up products that I picked up on that exciting day!

Just a positive note...

Do you ever feel like you just want to get away? Sometimes, I do. Well, it would be a bit pointless of me to be writing this post if I didn’t. I just wanted to reinforce myself that I am doing good even though I may feel the need to just get away sometimes because it's a normal thing in life.

April Outfit Post

I thought I would create a new outfit post each month so I can show off some of the clothes I have been gathering over the past few weeks. Surprisingly, I haven't gone that crazy in the shopping department this month (yet) so for April I have a few of my favourite outfits and I have styled them a little differently too.

Revisiting my goals I set myself for 2016

As we are now into the third month of the year I thought I would revisit my goals for 2016, and see if I have completed any. Or I may have to use this to kick myself into actually achieving some of my goals. I have copied my goals into this and underneath I am going to evaluate whether or not I have done/ or I am doing anything to complete my goal. Here goes!

My 22nd Birthday!

So, it was my 22nd birthday on Sunday 3rd January and I had such a lovely day. It was one of my better birthdays and I was very happy all day long (I was smiling a lot). I thought I would share with you what I got up to and show you how spoilt I was! Firstly, I received a lot of wonderful gifts, including many items from Pandora (a new charm and two gorgeous rings) which I absolutely love and cannot stop wearing them because they are so pretty. You might think I like Pandora, eh!

My Favourite Christmas Films!

What I love most of all about Christmas is getting to watch lots of Christmas films all snuggled under a blanket nice and cosy because they always have a happy ending. So, I thought I would create a list of my favourite Christmas films to share with you all, and so maybe you can watch them if you haven't already!

Film Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part Two

Image credit: http://zrockr.com

First of all, I haven't read the books to this series (although I really wish I did before I watched any of the films), but I have been a fan since The Hunger Games films franchise began.
I was so excited to watch 'part two' of Mockingjay, especially after how the first part ended. But, I must admit I was left a little disappointed when I left the cinema because I thought there was going to be more of a 'BANG' when it ended, but it seemed to reflect a fairy tale, as in it was too "happily ever after" for my liking, but I am aware that is entirely my opinion.

However, I am also glad that I could see how the rest of Mockingjay unfolded, and what was going to happen to the rest of the characters, and it answered some of my questions such as; was Peeta going to be alright? What will happen to Snow? What was Katniss going to do?

The special effects and graphics were great (I didn't expect any less) and I was given a fright by some awful looking monsters in the film - I was not expecting that. As I mentioned, normally I would have liked to have read the books first so I could also compare them to the film, so I am a little sorry I cannot do that in this case. Nevertheless, I liked the film and I thought it was pretty good, but I suppose my expectations got the better of me, and the year-long wait must have left me a little disappointed when I finally got to see it. Also, I could add that I was a little tired and watched it on a later showing, so that could also be my reasoning for how I felt when I left the cinema.

All in all, it was a good film, especially a good and happy ending to such a huge film franchise. I would rate this film 7 out of 10.

Have you seen Mockingjay Part Two yet, and what did you think?

Looking out for you - being happy

Lately, I have been doing a lot of thinking about how I should look after myself more. And by that, I mean I should be more selfish and look out for me and my interests. This may sound a little strange, or even mean to some extent, but I think I have come to the point in my life where I am just so tired of being second best. I think it is at this point where you finally grow up and you learn that you're going to have to look out for yourself rather than others more often.

Only by getting older do you learn that some relationships are more toxic than others, and it is perfectly okay to cut off ties at any point. It is one of those things that you only learn over time and through certain situations. But, I just wanted to write this post (mostly to convince myself) so that I will feel fine after cutting myself off from others. A recent conversation with a friend really opened my eyes, because we both agreed that there's no point connecting with someone if they don't have a positive influence on your life. It is right though, we need to surround ourselves with the people that influence us to do great things and want us to succeed.

Personally, I feel like I have gotten closer and closer to only communicating with those who have a positive affect on my life. I mean, I like to think I am a nice person and I always try my best to be polite and get on with everyone, but life really is too damn short to become involved in petty dramas or negative vibes in general. In situations like this I always think of a quote from Roald Dahl's The Twits...

“If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until you can hardly bear to look at it.

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

Honestly, I don't think this quote could be anymore true because having a positive outlook on life and always being happy really does work. Along with taking more time for myself, I feel so much happier and less bogged down. Another thing I have come to do is not care what others think, and once you truly have this, I believe the power is yours. My life experiences have made me more confident in my self and not caring (well maybe a little) has helped me find my happy place. I believe we all make this journey in life, some realise it quicker than others, but you have to go through it to truly appreciate it. But, I just want to say that it is completely okay to be selfish once in a while, and do whatever makes you happy. Don't let anyone hold you back from being the wonderful person you are!

Have you experienced any thoughts like this or do you have any advice on finding your happiness?

Recent Netflix Marathons

Hey friends! I have been on a mini Netflix marathon recently and have finished a couple of series in a short amount of time which is somewhat embarrassing... Anyway, I thought I would share with you what I have been watching and maybe you have watched them too (or you'll watch them after reading this).

1. Daredevil:

Image credit: http://marvel.wikia.com

Marvel's Daredevil is based on the Marvel Comics and revolves around a few main characters. Matt Murdock is a lawyer in the daytime and fights crime in the nighttime. Murdock was blinded by an accident as a child but does not let this ability get the better of him, and you see some insanely awesome fighting scenes when he plays his Daredevil character. I was waiting to watch this series since it came out, and it's safe to say I was ultimately impressed, and I think I managed to watch the full first season in less than a week (that's how gripped I was). So, for any fans of Marvel and/or superheros I would certainly recommend a watch because it's just that good. The villains play very good characters, and there are some quite brutal scenes that had me cringing a little, but that's what makes it so real. And I cannot wait for the next series to arrive. So, why not put it on your list?!

2. Orange is the New Black:

Image credit: http://netflix.com

I was unsure whether to start watching this series or not, because I had seen all the fantastic reviews raving about this Netflix series, but just didn't get round to it. However, after watching the full three seasons within the last week, I am certainly glad that I watched it (yeah I know three seasons in one week equals bad, but it's so good). I was hooked from the very first episode, and constantly wanted to know what happened next after each episode and thus we have ourselves a very real marathon. As the series progressed, I found the background stories to each of the characters the most interesting because it revealed why the characters acted in the ways they did and somehow connected you to them as you came to understand them more. Of course, the happenings inside the prison and the constant jokes had me in giggles because each of the characters are so unique. Also, there were a few moments that literally shocked me and I was sat there with my mouth wide open in awe just saying "whaaaaaaaaat?!" over and over again. There is nothing about this series that is boring and for that reason alone I would recommend you to watch. Go on, what are you waiting for?

3. Pretty Little Liars:

Image credit: http://pretty-little-liars.wikia.com

I actually started to watch PLL when it first came on TV a few years ago, but I have got to admit I am pretty bad at keeping up with series unless I can binge watch them, like on Netflix for example. So, after finishing OITNB, I decided to click on PLL and start watching it again from the first season. I can remember parts of what happened from the first time I watched it but, I am just refreshing my memory, and I actually want to catch up to the current series. With all the episodes on Netflix and my current "marathon mood" I am 100% sure I will easily get through this series. If you are into more of a girly mystery drama series then I would say you would love PLL. The series revolves around four high school friends who are, after the death of their best friend, are troubled by someone pretending to be their lately deceased friend known as "A". And you follow the story as the girls try to figure out who is A and the obstacles they encounter along the way. Packed with boy drama, and various other high school dramas you'd expect, you'll be hooked as I was. So, I'll continue to watch PLL and update you on my progress, and no spoilers please!

Have you seen these series or what series have you been going crazy over on Netflix recently? 

Heatwaves and Mojitos

Mojitos are by far my favourite cocktails, so being able to sit in the sun sipping a mojito with ice has to be the best thing I have done all week. Sounds a little sad I know. But, we don't usually get weather this good, and since I'm able to enjoy it at the moment, why wouldn't I take the opportunity to relax?

After finishing my final year at university, I started to convince myself that I shouldn't just chill out and that I should constantly be looking for my next move, i.e. jobs, because it would just be lazy of me. However, each day I have set myself a small task of "career hunting" for a set amount of time, so I don't feel bad. But, enough of that because that's a subject for another post on another day!

So, with the sun out and not a cloud in sight, I decided to lie in the sun and completely relax. Obviously, I thought I'd be able to catch a tan, but I've got to face the fact that I am destined to be casper pale forever! Of course, I was wearing sun cream too because my skin is very susceptible to burning in the the sun (as most skin is). Personally, I think I may have caught the sun a little, but no burns so I am always grateful for sun cream, and I hope you all wear it too because it's easy to think you're popping out for 10 minutes so nothing can happen, but the sun is very powerful at certain points in the day, so be careful! (Not trying to go all mom on you sorry).

So, what have you guys been doing to enjoy this lovely weather we've been having? Hope it involves lots of chilling and ice cream... and maybe even cocktails like me!

University results are in!

Hello there!
At the beginning of this week I received my results for my final year at university and I am very happy with my outcome because I worked so hard to get where I am (it's been a long and bumpy ride), and it finally paid off. There were lots of happy tears and I am still a little shocked!
It's not easy, and I know some people make it look that way, but I definitely don't think it is and if I didn't work as hard as I did I don't think I would have felt the satisfaction that I do now.

My friends at university also did very well with their results and I am really proud of them too because we all helped each other out, and I am pretty sure I wouldn't have made it this far without them. So, a big congratulations to us all and here's to the future!

Right now, I am really pleased and proud of myself. It is a huge sense of relief and I feel happy knowing that there are many doors open for me and I can choose any pathway that I want. Of course, I have the initial stress of what am I actually going to do with my life now I have a degree, but I know that I can do anything. If you put your time and effort into things, you can do practically anything you want!

So, for now I am just writing down potential ideas on a piece of paper and doing my research without stressing. I find that this is going to help me sort out my head and create a positive route to my ultimate career. Even if that means trying out jobs and finding out I don't like it, then that's fine because there's always going to be more opportunities out there. I think we get lost in the idea that there's no job for you when you leave university, but the reality is, that it's true no one is going to hand you a job and you've got to go out there and get it. The world really is your oyster and you can do anything with your life if you put your mind to it. (Small pep talk going on here sorry).

If you're like me, and you've just finished your university course and feel a little lost, I would simply advise you not to worry (mostly because it won't get you anywhere), but because you will eventually find your true calling. I mean, you've just got yourself a degree, that was the hard part right? You've shown that you've got the skills and ambition so I guarantee you'll give yourself the drive to find your dream career. So, give yourself a little break, enjoy the freedom you have while you've got it, and do the things you couldn't do while you were studying because you've worked your butt off for it!

For me, I am excited to find out what the world has got to offer me, and I really cannot wait to graduate in front of my family and friends in September! Hip hip hooray!