A Long Awaited Update

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So it's been awhile since I've had the opportunity to just sit down and write a post, I've missed it so much. Coming into the new year I wanted to get organised and you know change a few things like I discussed in my new years resolutions post. But that's so difficult when you go back to college with crazy deadlines and your stuck with all the work you didn't complete in the previous year, so you try and start a fresh but your still dragging along your poor organisation skills from 2015. Anyway I haven't really had much of a chance in those aspects of my life to catch up and make changes so now that my deadlines are all finished I can actually be more positive about my new projects. It's been a lot of 3 hour naps instead of going to bed properly these last few weeks so I'm still pretty exhausted and am catching up on sleep but definitely soon I'll be way more myself rather than crazy deadline Sophie, who leaves everything to the complete last minute.

Isn't it crazy that we are already a whole month and a half into 2016! Christmas feels like forever ago, though I do still have a bag sat in my room full of Christmas decorations I'm yet to put away! I've had so much new makeup to play with, which is exciting because then I can include them in reviews and posts, though I've been at that addict stage the last few days where I have been so obsessed with watching makeup gurus on YouTube and just want more and more make up. Not too good for my empty bank account. Make up is a serious addiction that I haven't quite found a way to calm yet.

Talking of makeup, Gwen Stefani's Collection with Urban Decay has now launched! Cant remember exactly when but I got one of those auto emails for Urban Decay telling about it coming out just a few days before and I got really excited! If you are sat there thinking there's so much make up I want but I just can't afford it, oooooohhhh I feeeeel yaaaaa sista! So many people have raved about the eye shadow palette making me want it more and more of course and I did have it on my Christmas list but I ended up with the Vice 4 palette instead because I asked for that as well. It will for sure be a little wait before I can buy any of it, but a girl can dream!

So tomorrow (or today when this post will go live!) is a very exciting day, I've been looking forward to for over a year now since it was booked! I'm going to Tokyo, Japan on a trip with my Sixth Form College! I can't believe I'm actually leaving in the morning, of course I'm yet to completely organize myself, I mean I didn't just put all of my washing on the night before or anything (whoops). So it is a bit stressful, and should probably be sorting myself out now but here I am. I think it's going to be such an amazing trip, I'm so grateful to get to visit such amazing places across the world and this is somewhere so different to anywhere I have been before! I'm really getting myself all excited now.

Hopefully when I get back I will actually sort myself out and get some content up on a regular basis, but life is very crazy at the moment, but when isn't let's face it. I haven't even had time to read any blogs let alone write my own, and that is crazy for me because one of my favourite things to do is read the latest blog posts. And with the days getting longer again I have way more time to take photos and am not restricted to a couple hours of good light every day.

Speak soon, maybe with some Japan themed posts?!

Lots of love
Sophie

A Message for the New year

Last year I wrote out my new year's resolutions on the notes in my phone and I found them the other day after I wrote out my post on new year's resolutions and so I looked through  it and checked off what I did and didn't achieve. But when I reached the bottom I found that I had written this little message to myself that I had completely forgotten about. So I wanted to develop on it and share with you as something that you could take on board in your approach to the new year.

You choose how you feel. Things affect those choices of feelings but you truly have the controller in your hands. So I'm telling you, choose to be happy, choose to look at things in a different way, make that choice to overcome terrible things that life may throw at you. Remember there's so much to be grateful for even when there is something else you want. Remember what got you there in the first place. Dream. Dream as big as you can possibly dream. And make it a reality. A year is a long time, use every second of it to work towards that dream. Just because something's hard doesn't mean it's impossible, put the work in and someday though it may or may not be done in one year, it will all fall together and you will look back and wonder why you ever complained because the outcome is so amazing. Define who you want to be don't let others do that for you. This is your year, it's all about you, you, you, you. Cheers to 2016!

Lots of love,
Sophie

Hello 2016

We all say it every year but last year has gone by so fast. It's weird to even say that 2015 was "last year" like that freaks me out a bit. It feels like yesterday we were all getting pumped for the 2012 olympics in London and now here we are going into another olympic year. Every January we make these goals and resolutions and every February I find myself resulting back to old habits. It's time to really make 2016 your year. I want to plan for an amazingly fulfilled year, but also welcome challenges and surprises that may come along the way, be spontaneous and where possible be a little bit reckless as well. I don't believe in the saying "new year, new me" because you can't make a new you, you can only become a better you. So I've made resolutions this year that I hope I can completely throw myself into may they be big or small goals, I want to achieve them.

1) Health and Fitness 

Probably one of the most recycled new years resolutions is to do with weight and fitness, we all have things we may want to change about our selves and I know in the past I would set goals of certain weights or dress sizes rather than being healthy. This year I aim to not focus on weight loss or a certain look but to just be more mindful about the types of food I put in my body and the amount of exercise I have in my routine, so much this year I have thrown away thoughts about healthy choices and have just eaten what ever. I think for me personally little changes work way better.

Within this there are a few little goals such as I really want to be able to do a proper push up, no girly substitute, a real push up , and actually be able to do 5 in a row! The main thing I want is to actually have some upper body strength because I currently have non at all.

2) Blog

I have so many plans for my blog and coming into this new year I just really need to get into a routine with it. Something I really want to do is improve my photography on my blog and take the time to learn tricks and little things to help me.

3) Be More Spontaneous 

2015 was filled with way more spontaneous moments than any other year before, and I've loved being way more out of my comfort zone even if it was just something small like deciding to go on a walk rather than just staying in. I think what has sparked it is being 18 and feeling super independent, but I don't think you need that, you just need to have open mind and a more relaxed approach to things and these spontaneous moments will become more natural. Anyway I really want to do more of this as the year continues.

4) Get on a Proper Sleep Schedule 

I love to sleep. Anyone who knows me knows how much I enjoy my sleep. The only thing is I get into a really bad habits of going to bed late and I need a good 8-9 hours and to be honest If I could I would have 10 hours every night. Just imagine that every day. So needless to say I'm not a morning person especially when I have to get up from continuous late nights therefore I need to get on a schedule where I go to bed at a good time and so can get up easier in the morning.

Some smaller resolutions I have that I would love to achieve as well:
5) Actually read some of the many books I have piled up in my room, there are lot but yet I keep buying more!
6) Utilise my time a lot more efficiently, for example Netflix and Dance Moms Box sets are not helping my A-Levels! It feels good at the time but I do need to just get on and do my work sometimes!
7) De-clutter my wardrobe, I've already separated out a lot of clothes I want to sell I just need to get on and do it. There is just so much I don't wear anymore and it's taking up so much space.
8) Stay positive. 2015 was a bit of a changed year for me, I decided to take charge of my happiness and be in general a more positive and better person. This is something maybe other people may not notice so much but I have noticed a huge difference in myself, in my general confidence and open mind to things I can see so much of a difference. This is only the beginning, 2016 is going to be filled with positivity and happiness even more no matter what life throws at me.

I hope you all had an amazing  2015, a fun New Years Eve and I genuinely believe 2016 will be the best yet!

What are you resolutions for the New year?

Anastasia Beverly Hills Illumimators

If there's one, pretty much unnecessary, makeup product I could not live without, it would be a good old highlighter. Which you can probably tell by my post, A Glowing Obsession, all about my obsession with illuminators and highlighters!

Prior to having these absolutely beautiful products in my life I hadn't actually tried anything from Anastasia Beverly Hill, though I always wanted to, the brow and contour products are definitely on my list. I have the colours, Starlight and So Hollywood, which are aimed to be perfect for the fairer end of the skin tones, however there are 2 other colours Peach Nectar and Rivera, better for deeper skin tones. But I still want all of them to be honest even though the other 2 might not work as well with my skin, but I'm sure I could make them work, in some way!

First off the packaging as always is very slick using the glossy black with simple metallic writing and design, I don't think you can really go wrong with black and rose gold now can you? It also is very sturdy and doesn't feel cheap in any way, I know this pretty well because I have dropped them so many times already and the product remains completely in tacked! It comes with a large mirror inside which fills up the whole space of the lid, a feature I love for on the go. Also the fastening to keep it shut is very strong so it won't go flying open in your makeup bag, but of course is not difficult to open. One of my favorite things besides the actual formula itself is the design engraved into the powder, they have gone for this gorgeous art deco design that sadly is starting fade away from my products from using them so much!

Although they may be a pressed powder by no means are they powdery. As soon as you swatch the product you'll see me point, it's the strangest thing they are so creamy and almost bouncy, what I mean is I have put a slight pressure on the product and it bassically springs back! Probably imagined this completely but it made me so excited! And as far as the colours go I can't stop staring at my face when I have them on so you could say I like them a little bit. Starlight is this a white gold colour, that has a lot of cool and also warm tones to it, as well when you catch it in the light it has a pinky purple undertone to it that's so eye catching in natural lighting. And then So Hollywood is a gold/ copper colour with a lot of dimension to it within the shimmer, also when you catch it in some light has a slight pinky tone to it.

The brand released these as limited edition and have been on sale I think for around 2-3 months so you might want to snatch them up fast, but I think they have been pretty popular and I don't see why they wouldn't make them a permanent product especially for summer time. there isn't actually anything I don't love about them they are my little babies, possibly the only thing would be if they truly will be limited edition, I don't know how I'll survive if I ran out!

Have you tried out these illuminators? Tell me what's your guilty pleasure makeup product?

Current Favorites

So I was a bit late on the November Favorites so this isn't a November favorites because it's now the 6th of December, but we can jsut image that these were very much enjoyed through the last month!

As you know from a previous post about my trip to NYC that I bought a lot of things while there especially in Sephora! And so pretty much everything bar 3 items were purchased in Sephora and only one is not a NYC purchase!

SKINCARE

An especially sneaky way that Sephora get you to buy more stuff, which pulls in suckers like me, is having samples all along the queue to the check out. So I was drawn in and picked up this charcoal face mask from origins that I always hear good things about and I can definitely say it has not disappointed & lasted me so well. And then I have this moisturizer by Talika from a glossybox, I've just found it's so good before makeup because it's really moisturizing but doesn't leave a greasy looking finish.

BEAUTY

Eye wise I have been really getting into eyeliner recently even though the flick is still not mastered, but this felt tip one from Kat Von D, Tattoo Liner in Trooper, makes it so much easier and lasts so long! A new mascara fav is this one from Tarte called Lights Camera Lashes, I read and watched so many reviews on this before I bought it and there was a bit of a mix of opinions but I'm absolutely in love with it, my eyelashes looks very full and very black.

I don't think I have ever been so obsessed with a blush, I always over looked blush I just saw it as a standard thing to put on, didn't realise some look better than others! As soon as I put this Hourglass blush on  I absolutely fell in love. The blendability alone is enough to make me fall in love but then make it this colour, Mood Exposure... it's actually blush heaven. Another face product I have been obsessed with is the Shade and Light palette by Kat Von D. Contouring is still a skill I want to master and so having this gorgeous pallet to use has been amazing, I probably use the bottom left colour the most because it goes with my skin tone but I do sometimes throw in the other colours when I'm feel especially in the contouring mood!

When at the airport going out of london of course how could I possibly resist duty free and possibly resist a little mooch around Mac. I've been loving this satin lipstick in Faux it's this beautiful brown pink although in the photo it looks way darker than it is, pretty much the perfect autumnal pink lipstick.

OTHER FAVORITES

As far as non beauty items go I have been loving getting my out big knit jumpers and comfy slippers so I can feel super cosy in the cold weather which is actually getting really cold now especially with it getting dark around 4 o'clock! And then Wine Cellar, Bath and Body Works candle has been burning in my room since coming home and I really cannot get enough of the scent, but at the same time I don't want to waste my candle so I've had to restrain myself and change it out for a new one for now!

I want to mention also I've been so obsessed with Justin Bieber's new album. Constantly jamming to it or Adele's 25, who isn't jamming to that insane album? And of course I have gone and seen Mockingjay Part 2 twice including the midnight showing and I cannot wait for the DVD to be out!

What have you been loving recently?

NYC Bath and Body Works Haul!

Okay this is going to be a big post so apologies in advance. While in New York it was vital to find a Bath and Body works to go and spend way too much money on making myself and my room smell beautiful. Come on why do we not have this beautiful place in the UK, I’d be broke, but the good smelling kind of broke. Saying that though they do the most amazing deals that kind of forced me to get more and more like buy three get three for free, let's just say the luggage was definitely not the same weight as it was on the way out!

Autumnal smells are the best and although it is December now that won't stop me from using my apple scented things. So I bought these 2 scents, Suncrisp Apple Harvest and Perfect Autumn Day probably my favourite things I bought. I wish I bought Apple Harvest in the shower gel and in every possible option because I just get so many compliments when I wear it. So in Perfect Autumn Day I have the shower Gel, Body lotion and Fine Fragrance Mist and then in the Suncrisp Apple Harvest I have the Mist and the 24 hour moisture Ultra Sheer Body Cream.

With all the offers they had going on I ended up getting these 2 soaps and 2 shower gels. To be honest I didn't actually know what was going on half the time, the sales assistants kept saying you need to go pick free items and free stuff is exciting so to the amount of stuff kept getting bigger and bigger every second. It was all one big accident! So I got Brandied Apple Pear and the classic scent Sweet Pea in the Deep Cleansing soaps. And then 2 Shower Gels in Moonlight Path and Beautiful Day.

There was another deal on antibacterial hand gels I can't remember what but it was you save money if you purchase 5 so of course I bought 5 as they are only small. So I got Give Thanks, Beautiful Day, Fresh Sparkling Snow, Fall Lakeside Breeze and Stress Relief. 

How could I have gone to Bath and Body works and not pick up a candle or two... or you know 4. On the new winter Holiday items everything was on offer and so the candles were half price at around $12 so I had to get 2 and basically get one for free. Thats the logic in my head. So I got Winter Sun a very warm but almost frost scented, then Frosted Cranberry, and I'm so drawn to Cranberry scents the sweet fruitiness of them attracts me. And then I actually didn't buy any candles that weren't in a collection I just didn't find ones I like all that much plus there was needed restraint because candles are heavy! So I bought Wine Cellar, which I am currently burning and Harvest Gathering from the Wine country collection very autumnal smelling.

And then finally because my purchase was not only over I think $30 but extremely exceeded that I got to have this tub of christmas items for an extremely discounted price, which I cannot remember! But it came in this big tub and cam with; Vanilla Bean Noel Shower gel, body lotion, fragranced mist and hand gel. And then in the scent Twisted peppermint ; a deep cleansing hand soap and then in Winter Candy Apple a nourishing hand cream and gentle foaming hand soap, and not to mention a very dense good luffa.

So that was a long post but I hope you enjoyed it!

Whats your favourite festive scent?

Time Flies

So it’s been a month since my last upload, which I don't know how this is possible it feels like a second ago it was September, and a lot of the previous posts were pre written because I went away to New York City on a family holiday over the half term. I wanted some content on here but didn’t actually think about how busy I would be by the time I got back. So much work to be catching up on at college!

I had such an amazing time; we’ve been before so didn’t do loads of touristy sightseeing, we actually did most of the sightseeing in the last few days the rest of the time we did smaller things and shopped, personally my favourite part. I spent so much money you don’t even want to know. Let’s put it this way, I went to Sephora 5 times .5 times in 6ish days. 5 TIMES. Just let that sink in. And don’t worry I left with at least 4+ things each visit. It got so bad that I was upgrades to a Sephora Beauty insider VIB member within a few days! I have a makeup addiction okay. Someone get me help?!

So I thought I’d share a few images of my trip and tell you a few of the things I did when I wasn’t dragging my poor family around Sephora and Brandy Melville!

We went to see Kinky Boots the musical on Broadway, I think on the first actual day we were there. I really enjoyed it but I love the theatre, me and my Mum don’t leave our local one we are constantly there seeing some show. However the show was meant to be set in Northampton in the UK and so English accents were required and lets just say they were butchered, I even forgot by the end that they were attempting them because they were so bad but the actual show was so good.

We also went to a Basketball game the next day, and I hate sport so wasn’t expecting to really enjoy it, but it was so fun, I had no ideas what was going on but I was cheering and getting angry. We saw the New York Mets who aren’t meant to be any good and they actually lost but we did get a snazzy orange free T-shirt because it was an opening game of the season!

We also went up the new World Trade Centre, this has amazing views and the same day we went up the empire state at night. If you’re ever going to New York and are thinking about going up the empire state definitely go up at night, the last time I went I did that, it’s a lot quieter so no massively long queues and the lights are so picturesque. But bring your gloves and scarf.

One of my favourite parts was on Halloween they open up a Christmas market in Bryant Park. I just love Christmas and they had so many cute handmade gifts and decorations it really got me in the festive spirit!

On the last day for breakfast we went to Ellen’s Stardust Diner. I you love food and musicals you will love this place the waiters all sing as well as serve you food. One minute your waiter will be picking up your plate and the next sing phantom of the Opera. Strange, but so fun.

We did so much but it felt like we were only shopping and walking around. I just want to be back there right now in my home land Sephora, or Bath and Body works or Brandy Melville!

Have you ever been to New York City before? What's your favorite part about the city?