OOTD: Graduation Day

Welcome back!

I am feeling a little emotional whilst I am writing this post because this week, after three long years, I finally graduated from university. I am not going to get into the whole university experience in this post, but if you would like to see one please let me know.

Although I haven't shared too much about my university life on my blog, I do want to share what I wore to graduation with you. Enjoy!

Primark Cardigan.

Superdry Dress.

YSL Bag.

Diechman Shoes.

*CIAO*

OOTD: Slime Time Doll

Welcome back!

I have been neglecting my blog a little bit lately, I know. My life has been a bit crazy; job interviews, graduation preparations and being in the Red Bull soapbox race. But I am back now and ready to start churning out posts like there's no tomorrow.

I decided to make my come-back with an outfit of the day. I put this outfit together for a weekend when the weather was a little dubious. The perfect monochrome combo for an unpredictable day in London which is both functional and comfortable. Enjoy!

H&M Hat

This Is A Love Song T-Shirt

H&M Skirt

Primark Knee Highs

Doc Marten Boots

*CIAO*

OOTD: Stop and Flare

Welcome back!

As well as being obsessed with the t-shirt dress this season I have also been very taken with the 70's flares. This new obsession has inspired this outfit stop and flare.

The trousers are tight at the top and flare right out to the floor.  Pair this fit with a busy pattern and you are channelling your inner hippy flower child. I kept my look modern with a little monochrome touch but finished the look off with some nude wedges. If I could I would wear this outfit everyday just to fall in love with flares all over again. Enjoy!

H&M Tank Top.

Boohoo Flares.

Primark Wedges.

*CIAO*

 

My Moisturiser: The Best For Combination Skin

Welcome back!

I have been on a little skincare hype lately but this post is super overdue. I have combination skin with extremely different needs- I get a dry forehead and cheeks but oily nose and chin. So I have to have a very versatile moisturiser to combat this. I have been using the same moisturiser for more than two years and I have to say it is the best in the business!

Introducing my favourite moisturiser clinique's dramatically different!

The dramatically different moisturiser has a renowned reputation and it certainly lives up to it. For me, I use this moisturiser both day and night to keep my skin soft, springy and glowing all day everyday. A little goes a long way with this product as well. I only use about a ten pence piece size for my whole face. 

The scent of the lotion is almost non-existent which works for me as some heavily scented products can irritate my skin. The consistency is soft and creamy and can be applied very easily. The new formula allows the moisturiser to be quickly absorbed leaving your skin in bliss.

Overall this product is definitely worth the hype even after clinique changed their formula. If you have combination skin this lotion is really worth the investment!

*CIAO*

Negative Space and Self Esteem

Welcome back!

I have been thinking about posting another brainfood post for a while but I wasn't exactly sure what to write. My last post about introversion was better received than I thought so I thought I would do another personal mind post about what I determine negative space is and how you can improve your self esteem. As always I have included a few illustrations to help this post along.

First things first I do not suffer from any sort of mental health illness but like many other people I do struggle with self-esteem and how I perceive myself. This is a huge problem amongst the general population because today's society teaches us that self-love is arrogant and big-headed. But self-love is okay. As the famous saying goes how can you expect someone to love you if you do not love yourself? So grab yourself a cup of tea because we are going to be here for a while...

When a person suffers with self-esteem issues it does not always mean they are uncomfortable with the way they look, they could in fact be uncomfortable with what they are and aren't good at, what decisions they make ect. When I have days like this I know that I am in a negative space in my own mind, because the way I perceive myself is completely different to how other people perceive me. When I am in a negative space my day normally goes like this:

But I am here to say hell no to those days because there are ways that you can counter act these feelings.

1. CUT OUT NEGATIVE PEOPLE. 
The first way to combat negative space is quite simply to surround yourself with positive people- friends and family alike. Make sure that everyone in your life supports you and your goals. If there is one thing I have learnt it is that negative people can make your self-esteem worst. Even if they are not bashing your dreams or insulting you personally they can still influence your mood. People who are bitter, jealous or angry can make you feel that way about yourself. The best thing to do when you find yourself in this situation is just to distance yourself from this person therefore their negativity will not be able to affect you anymore.

2. SPEND TIME WITH YOURSELF. 
Another step that you can put in place is to spend a little bit more time with yourself. Enjoy your own company do things that you enjoy doing. It doesn't matter what. It could be anything from reading and writing to drawing and painting. Meditation is also a good way to relax whilst in your own company. Like all relationships, your relationship with yourself takes time to grow. Don't expect an instant fix from this step but over time you will discover more and more about yourself and eventually improve your self-esteem.

3. EXERCISE.
This is more of a scientific approach. It is a known fact that exercise releases feel-good hormones and chemicals in your brain called endorphins. This gives your body the feeling of positivity and better self body image. If you really hate exercise, start off slow- go for a walk by yourself or do some morning stretches. Trust me you will feel better for it, not just physically but also mentally and emotionally!

4. SLEEP AND DIET.
Sleeping and food? That's something we all enjoy. However stuffing your face with pizza and having afternoon naps is not going to make you feel better about yourself. But having a healthy sleep pattern and balanced diet will. Try to not stay up into the early hours of the morning, instead go to bed at a sensible time that will allow you have at least eight hours of rest. A lack of sleep can cause you to have exaggerated negative feelings which can make your self-esteem worst. Steering clear of junk food or food high in artificial sugars will also improve your mind set. Artificial sugars can make you feel happy for an instance but in the long run they will make your body crash out and feel sluggish, not a feeling that helps.

I hope these tips will help you on your way to a happier, healthier you! However it is very important that I literate that sometimes people get down and that is okay-  it does not mean you have a mental health illness. But if you think you need help and guidance you should always consult a doctor. There are also many helpful mental health charities that you could contact too such as: mind, sane and rethink. Additionally there are many other helplines in the UK you can call like the samaritans.

But remember everyone, you are all beautiful!

*CIAO*

Bye Bye Under Eyes: The Best Products That Banish Dark Circles

Welcome back!

If you are an avid reader of my blog then you know that this summer I am rocking the "no make-up" make-up look. Mainly because it gets so humid here in London and make-up just makes my skin feel uncomfortable. In the summer I want my make-up on quickly and to remain fuss free throughout the day. So I thought I would amp up my skincare routine to minimise the amount of make-up I have to wear- particularly around my eyes.

Like many lovely ladies out there I suffer from dark under eye circles. No matter how much I sleep or how much water I drink I always have the dreaded purple-ish patches under my eyes. Perfect for halloween but not any other day of the year. Anyway after a year or so of trying different products I have found two that work for me and I would not leave the house without applying them.

Introducing my under eye saviours, both by benefit. The It's Potent eye cream and the Puff Off eye gel!

First things first I don't use these products together. I use the eye cream at night after I have finished the rest of my skincare routine. I just apply one large dab under each eye and pat it in gently with my ring finger. Being as gentle as possible is the best way to minimize dark circles. In the morning just before I apply my make-up and just after I have prepped my skin for the day I apply the eye gel with the built in applicator.

This eye cream is honestly my favourite part of my night time routine. It smells gorgeous and doesn't make my eyes water like other products. The product claims that it can actually fade dark circles and smooth fine lines over a prolonged period of time. I have been using this product for about six months and I definitely feel that my under eyes have gotten brighter and less purple. 

The texture is creamy and consistent and feels fresh once applied. When I wake up in the morning I can see a huge difference if I haven't applied it the night before. It really brightens the skin around your eyes and makes your skin look so fresh. 

As I said I apply this gel in the morning. The consistency is smooth and smells lovely. It glides over the skin and I can instantly feel it soothing my puffy eyes. 

The tip of the tube even has this handy iron shaped end which helps you move the gel around your eyes with ease. Once I have applied this I can definitely see that my under eyes are less puffy and discoloured. Sometimes this works so well I don't even have to apply concealer. Brilliant! 

Overall I would recommend these products to anyone suffering with dark circles. But just remember what works on my skin may not work for you. We are all different and have different skin types which work in different ways. I always recommend that you buy a sample size of any product before investing in a full sized version. 

*CIAO*