Going into the new year

You know when you start to get to the end of the year, you reflect and try to think about what happened, what you would have done differently and mainly what you hope for the new year. Best way forward for this I think is to think about what I would have changed from the last year and how I can look to move forward with this.

In 2013 I...

Worried about everything. I wasted my time worrying about things that I couldn't control. Not blowing my own trumpet but I'm brilliant at my job and I need to remember this. If something doesn't go to plan or doesn't go through, focus on what has and what I have achieved rather than what I haven't. Stop stressing - it will always work out. Trust your instincts.

I spent a lot of time thinking about the past. In early 2013 I broke up with my ex and spent the reminder of 2013 thinking about this decision and him, wondering if it was the right thing to do. Of course it was, and we broke up because I was miserable, but you forget these reasons and only remember the good. In December I deleted him and his friends off of all my social networks and I feel so much better for making the clean break. I should have done it much sooner and not been sad for a lot of my year.

In 2014 I will...

Eat better! From Jan-Dec 2013 I lost a stone and it increased my confidence, however I desperately need to not necessarily lose more, but to get healthier. I was well on my way to this in 2013 however not sure how I lost my motivation.

Focus on myself more. If you don't love yourself how can you expect someone else to? I need to search myself and focus on the good rather than the negatives. This falls quite closely under my worry/stress less point. Feel comfortable and happy.

Blog more - keep a diary, something to look back on. In my second year at university I kept a diary and even though I dont look back on it now, I know I will in the future. I've also developed - as you can probably tell - for beauty and cosmetics so I want to review more and build this up. Its just a further outlet to enjoy and emerse myself in as I don't currently have a hobby as such.

Keep a good room. A cluttered house is a cluttered mind! Take more pride in my surroundings, and even when my housemates don't, that doesn't give me an excuse not to clean, it means I should anyway.

Try new things. I think one of my main issues is I have a lot of fears. I need to maybe confront some of these in 2014 and do some things out of my comfort zone. You only live once and I'm still young - don't leave things until they're too late.

Looking forward to what exciting journeys 2014 will bring!

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Song of the Day #3: You Me At Six 'Lived A Lie'

After debuting their new single 'Lived A Lie' on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show yesterday evening, the track went live on iTunes at midnight. As I type this... they're currently resting at #3 inbetween Avicii and Ellie Goulding. Mental.

The first song off of their fourth studio album 'Cavalier Youth' is a classic You Me At Six track filled with epic choruses and the 'We Are Believers' sing along.

It's on iTunes now even though it's not 'officially' released until 21st October. Get it and support homee grown UK music!

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Montibel.lo Gold Oil Essence - The Amber & Argan Oil

Ok, here are the facts. I don't think my hair has felt this good, ever. I have ombre hair (DIY I should add) and am in desperate need of a haircut. The ends are getting quite dry, and it's all just a little dire. However, after using this, I'm actually considering putting the haircut off as it has completely sorted my ombre ends. Granted I've been applying this to my hair every day since I received it in my August Birchbox, and I can't see going a day without applying it in the future. Completely hydrates my ends and makes them feel so, so soft.

I had read up about the wonders of Argan Oil before but this is the first time I've actually tried it. I'm not sure what the benefits of Amber oil is however I'm sold. I've been putting the smallest amount on my hands, rubbing my palms together then rubbing it through my hair so that the oil covers the hairs, but not so much that it makes them oily.

At a RRP of £22.50 for a fullsize bottle it's not the most purse friendly option out there - however with this product a little really, really goes a long way.

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Song of the Day #2: Conor Maynard 'R U Crazy'

Conor Maynard always produces really catchy songs. The first cut from his sophomore album is delivered in the form of 'R U Crazy', a track written and produced by Labrinth.

Big fan of Conor, really lovely down to earth guy and this track is fantastic. Especially love the first 31 seconds of the video where he does the chorus of the song in a jazz/swing style. Love it. Track is out on 6th October.

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Faves #2: Rimmel Glam Eyes Professional Liquid Liner

Up until very recently, a liquid eyeliner was an absolute staple in my day-to-day look. I'm not sure how I really got into that habit, but I definitely felt under-dressed if I didn't have my standard winged eyes. Over the summer however, I've gone to being slightly more natural, relying on mascara and eye shadow rather than using liquid eyeliner daily and just keeping that for evening wear or when I'm going out.

However, my favourite liquid eyeliner is Rimmel's Glam Eyes in 'Black Glamour'. When I say it's my favourite... I think that's a slight understatement. I recently bought a new dressing table so when I was decanting my make up into the drawers, I realised I had not one, not two, but ELEVEN of these in my drawer. Needless to say I swiftly got rid of the ones that had dried out, but I still have 8 of these bad boys in my dresser.

I recon the reason I have so many is probably down to the fact I knew I used them everyday, so when Rimmel/Superdrug/Boots would have the '3-for-2' offer, this would be my go to item (RRP £5.29).

This eyeliner does the job perfectly, not too much liquid on the brush, goes on smoothly and a bottle really goes a long way.

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Poundland Haul - August 2013

Ridiculously amazing Poundland haul! I had been on lots of beauty bloggers pages recently, seeing that Poundland in the UK is currently stocking O.P.I Shatter Nail Lacquers amongst other gems. Wanting to get in on a piece of this action, I headed down to my local store to see what I could find - and came back with all of this!

First up, the O.P.I Nail Lacquers. Having wanted to try O.P.I for ages but not being able to justify the cost, getting these were an amazing find. I used the silver over the Rimmel shocked colour below and it looks beautiful.

O.P.I Shatter Nail Lacquer - Silver - RRP £11

O.P.I Shatter Nail Lacquer - Gold - RRP £11

O.P.I Shatter Nail Lacquer - Super Bass - RRP £11

O.P.I Shatter Nail Lacquer - Shatter The Scales - RRP £11

Couldn't find the RRP of the SinfulColors on a UK store, however found it on an American website for $5.51. Therefore I'm estimating that the UK RRP would be around the £3.50 mark. 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - Ivory Coat - RRP £6.99

SinfulColors Professional - Gorgeous - ~RRP £3.50

Rimmel London Lycra Pro Proffessional Finish - Camoflague Chic - RRP £4.49

Rimmel London 60 Seconds - Shocker - RRP £3.69

I hadn't come across these Calvin Klein sheer creme eyeshadows before, however after all the hype and praise of Maybellines Colour tattoos I decided to get a couple of these.

Calvin Klein Temping Glimmer Sheer Creme Eyeshadow - Sheer Nectar - RRP £15.50

Calvin Klein Temping Glimmer Sheer Creme Eyeshadow - Vintage Metal - RRP £15.50

Calvin Klein Temping Glimmer Sheer Creme Eyeshadow - Retro Silver - RRP £15.50

Couldn't find these on a normal high street store site however Fragrance Direct lists their RRP as £15.50 each (!!). They sell them from there for £1.99 a pop, so still a saving of £1 per item.

These were one of my favourite finds. I found both Fancy Topaz and Posh Peacock on Boots' website so these two are currently available. I believe Nigh Jewel is a shade from last Autumns collection (?) so in my eyes, great for the coming months! I wouldn't normally buy monos (I'm more of a palette girl) however couldn't resist these. 

Rimmel London Glam Eyes Mono Eye Shadow - 171 Fancy Topaz - RRP £4.49

Rimmel London Glam Eyes Mono Eye Shadow - 500 Posh Peacock - RRP £4.49

Rimmel London Glam Eyes Mono Eye Shadow - 300 Night Jewel - RRP £4.49

Astonishingly, the total cost was £15 ($23.32 US, €17.46 EUR). RRP brings it to a total of £122.64, so I saved a massive £107.64! If you live in the UK, definitely head down to your local Poundland and have a look through their beauty section!

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Song Of The Day #1: Don Broco 'You Wanna Know'

For my first 'Song of the Day' we take a look at the brand new video for Don Broco's single 'You Wanna Know'. Loved these lads from Bedford for years and this song really takes them up a notch. Can't wait to see what the future holds for them.

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