Maggs London

I have been watching Hannah and Steff Michilak since I can even remember! Their weekly videos make my day on a Sunday, when they pop up in my subscription box it instantly puts a smile on my face. I have been wanting to invest in a Maggs London bag for a while and when I saw that the Grayson fabric was back and the bags back in stock I was straight on the website!

Within 3 days of ordering it came, just in time for me to take on holiday. the shipping was fast, the bag is amazing, and it is so worth the money. To find products that are made in the UK and created with such love and passion really is a win win situation.

The bag came beautifully packaged in brown paper with a cute hand written tag saying 'Work hard and stay humble.' Also, and I don't mean this in weird way, but the bag smells incredible as well.

I'm so pleased with my purchase and would highly recommend anyone to get a Maggs London bag 

Lots of love mermaids

xxx

Facing my fears

I know I am not the most consistent person in the world, but when I have the urge to blog I will. Like now, its 10 past 1 on a Wednesday morning and I have to be up in a few hours for work. 

This is going to be something a bit different but I think its time that I spoke about something that has bothered me my entire life. My weight.

Ever since I can remember I have been uncomfortable with my size. I could not name a time where I felt happy with it. in recent years I have gained weight and thought nothing of it and over time marks appeared and I couldn't handle it, when people say that stretch marks are like a tiger who have earned their stripes I could not disagree more in my case. I see the marks as a failure, my body fighting back and telling me that I shouldn't be like this. Since coming home from university I have realised how much of a difference healthy eating and regular exercise can have on your mood, your size and your body. Countless nights clubbing and drinking really do take their toll on you, I have had the best year of my life with some of the best people I have ever met but I know it is time to change for the better. 

being happy and comfortable in my own skin has been a personal goal for a long time, and someone can tell you that you are beautiful until they are blue in the face, but that will fall on deaf ears until you as a person accept and believe that. Don't get me wrong I love wearing clothes that accentuate my best bits (I always have and always will love my bum) but that tight dress that makes my bum rival Kimmy K's will cling to my stomach or my arms in a way that will make me change at least 3 more time before I go out. Countless times have a caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and wondered what on earth i was thinking wearing that crop top with short sleeves and jeans. I constantly nit pic and critique myself to the point where a baggy tee and jeans will always do. 

Recently though I have bought clothes that are out of my comfort zone and as well as trying to loose weight, trying to also accept my body. You have this body for the rest of your life and if you choose not to love it you can't just return it and get a new one. 

I'm writing this post to not only get these thoughts off my chest but to hopefully reach out to other people who face the same problem I do. If you think you are too big, too small or you are just unhappy with your body its time to embrace your flaws and realise that you only get one life so you really should just live it. the size that you are does not determine who you are. You could be looking in a magazine and see catwalk models wanting to be that thin. however that girl who has a similar build to those models could be looking at you wondering why she doesn't have boobs and a bum. There is a vicious cycle going on in the world, one minute people are praised for their slimness, next week its all about 'belfies' and embracing your curves. As long as you are happy with who you are then why does it matter what size you are. 

See today as a turning point, a time to realise that you are not alone and no matter what you want to achieve, mentally, physically and emotionally just remember you are the one with the power, the control and the tools to make things happen.

In the words of Ru Paul, if you can't love yourself how in the hell you gunna love somebody else. If you take anything from this just remember to love yourself and who you are. If you are happy then continue with what you do to make you happy. Self love can take a while to develop but once you start its hard to go back to the way that you are. I'm not saying that one day I will be a size 8, because for me that wouldn't personally make me happy. One day I hope to walk past my reflection and not always look at myself and poke and prod at the bits that make me unhappy. I am a happy person who is unhappy with their body and that is why I'm going to change it.

Surround yourself with the people you love, wear that dress, put on that bright lipstick, go to that festival you've always wanted to go to. Don't let anyone, especially yourself stop you from doing the things that you love.

The end of an era

I am devastated that ELF (Eyes Lips and Face cosmetics) is no longer going to be distributing there products anymore. I don't know for definite if it is the last we will ever see of ELF but I thought I would take advantage of their sale.

Now, I've been looking at this palette for a loooooooooooong time. I wasn't however willing to spend £20 on it! But in an amazing up to 70% sale, which is still going on by the way, I picked up the 50 piece make up artist palette.

5 blushers
5 bronzers
40 eyeshadows

I. Cant. Even.

They are all so so stunning and so worth the £10 I paid for it.

The pigmentation of the blushers is insane, the bronzers are gorgeous for an all over glow, I wouldn't recommend them as a contour bronzer though due to the shimmer in them. The eyeshadows come in some of the craziest colours that I wouldn't even think of buying on their own.

I'm really looking forward to trying out some different eye looks and experimenting a bit more with my blushers and bronzers.

Don't forget to have a look on ELF for any remaining products, unfortunately this palette is no longer available but there are quite a lot of things left!

Thanks for reading! xxx

New Beauty Box

I haven't been into beauty boxes really, but this one did catch my eye.

The Love Me Beauty box is a monthly subscription box where you are given credits to choose what you want to get. After taking a short test about products you want, skin type etc you are taken to your own personal boutique, where products have been selected based on your needs.

Even if you use all your credits up you still have the option to buy the remaining products if you want at a very discounted price.

In my boutique i had a selection of nails inc nail varnishes, body creams and lipsticks from a variety of brands.

In my box I chose a Popband London hair tie, one of those small elastic hair bobbles that doesn't kink your. Not much to say really just a hair tie!

I've been really into face scrubs recently and skin care so i chose a perfecting face polish from Organic Surge. it is suitable for sensitive skin which I do suffer from on my face and body so hopefully this isn't so harsh! It smells absolutely incredible as it contains pure rosemary and lemon oil. perfect size for travelling, 30ml sample sizes are my favourite.

Last but not least I got 2 Lorde and Berry lipsticks. I have never tried anything from this brand but I was so exited to try them. I chose Brick Lip and Smooth Beige. Brick Lip is an amazing brownish nude colour (which I have been obsessed with recently.) I am however very disappointed with Smooth Beige, it is grey. Theres no way to go about it but it looks very grey on my lips.

For £10 a month plus postage I would definitely consider getting this box again. I love the idea of a personalised tailored to you service. Are there any other beauty boxes that are worth having a look at? Let me know in the comments!

Long time no speak

I know, I know.

I deserve a slap on the wrists for my blogging capabilities right now. 

So many empty promises to do this and do that but now I am back and I will stick to it.

Where can I start, I had the most amazing birthday this year with all of my friends back home and at uni. I went to Circuit in Essex for my pre birthday with my best friends. My dress was from Rare London and I absolutely love it, the perfect length, the perfect colour, everything.

We saw SecondCity and they were amazing but I must admit although the club has a reputation for being quite dressy, I felt like I should have had a bum bag and been in my festival gear because the vibe in there was insane.

I came back to Bournemouth on my actual birthday (9th february) and as soon as I walked through the door to my flat I was greeted with beautiful almost bird like singing from my flat mates, a cake and a fish bowl that was probably purple for all the wrong reasons. After opening my sex shop special presents, I got ready and this time my dress was from Pink Soda and once again i cannot fault it, apart from the tan I had on got on the cream bit, but whats to be expected from a night of dancing.

I saved the best for last though. Calum Best. Fresh out of the CBB house I got a hug a kiss and a happy birthday from the man himself. Just ask anyone who was on our table that night and they will tell you how much I was shaking and nearly on the verge of tears. Don't worry I played it super super cool.

I was absolutely spoiled by my family, friends and boyfriend this year. Thank you so much for everything you do and the gifts you bought me. I love you all lots, from the gorgeous Vivienne Westwood earrings, the Janoski trainers and the sex position shot glasses and willy straws. I love them all!

Heres to another year, why does 19 feel so old. 

I know I'll laugh at myself for saying that later on.

Degusta Box - food subscription box

Something a little bit different this time. I love food and that isn't a secret, so when I saw an offer on Facebook for a half price food and drink box I grabbed it while I had the chance!

Degusta Box is a monthly subscription box where you get between 9-14 products ranging from crisps to cider! Priced at £12.99 including delivery and with most the products being full sized or very generous samples, I think it really is worth the money.

With January being the month to kick start your diet (or not in my case) January's box was the healthy box.

The first thing my eyes went straight to were my favourite ice teas Little Miracles, a blend of fruit juice, organic tea and ginseng. Even better I got my 2 favourite flavours peach and raspberry! 

Total - £2.98

Next up Mornflake, 2 little porridge pots one with maple syrup and one with NUTELLA!!!! Add hot water and you're good to go.

Total - £3

As a student you can never have enough olive oil but this healthy alternative Alfa One Rice Bran Oil is an essential in my cupboard.

Total - £2

Another thing I've been wanting to try is coconut milk and what did I get? You guessed it Koko Dairy Free Original coconut milk.

Total £1.39

I once went through a phase where Pot Noodles were my life, but this healthier alternative Kabuto Noodles has introduced me to a more fresh and less stodgy pot noodle. I got Chicken Ramen flavour and I must say it was delicious.

Total - £2

Not one for making my own bread but I'm willing to give it a go with Sukrin bread mix.Sunflower and pumpkin bread sounds pretty delicious and also healthy, but for the price I wouldn't buy it with my own money.

Total - £5

The classic Ryvita biscuit takes a twist with these similar Finn Crisp crackers, mixed with sourdough giving it a tangy flavour kind of similar to cornflakes. Great for snacking with a variety of toppings.

Total - £1.20

Cider is one of the best things, imagine sitting in a beer garden a nice fruity cider with the sun shining what could be better. This Magners low calorie fruit cider has got me right in the mood for summer now, Orchard Berries mmmmm.

Total - £1.89

Not a fan of this next one Haywards Piccalilli, grim. Enough said.

Total - £1.89

As a special gift I got a deluxe sample size of Clipper Green Tea, not a fan of hot drinks but I'm willing to give it a go.

Total - £1.69 for 25 bags (given 10)

Overall total £20.71

I think I will definitely look into subscribing to this box permanently. As well as the food and drink you got recipe cards to help you use the products in the box and also some leaflets about the brands in the box. Seriously, who doesn't want a big box of snacks and treats delivered to their door every month? Compared to Graze Box I definitely prefer this as it isn't an all snack box. Obviously it costs more but I think it is a definite investment 

Lots of love 

Emily xx

From Essex to Bournemouth

Its been a very very long time since I've posted anything on here. First of all I'm sorry, I've been at university and maybe had one to may nights out and definitely not enough sleep.

This post won't be about makeup or mermaids but more of a life catch up.

During my time here at university I have met some of the most amazing people I could ever have met, I have made friends for life and today I even looked at my first house for next year! 7 boys and 2 girls in a house looks set to be as chaotic as Freshers!

Home sickness is kicking in now and I really do miss everyone so so much, but on the bright side I've realised I am a pretty alright chef (I make a mean home made katsu curry I'll have you know)

I will try my very hardest to at least get a post up once or twice a week, and maybe not all make uppy type posts but I will try!

Lots of love 

Emily xx