Looking Back At 2013 & New Year Resolutions

Looking back at 2013 I can it has been a fab year. Don't get me wrong there's been times where it's not been the best but overall it's not too shabby. Going through my pictures I'm usually with a beer in hand while pulling a stupid face, as lady like as ever. Some highlights of the year include seeing my favourite band 3 times, various birthday events, moving house, V Festival, the countless other gigs, my Uncle's wedding & in general meeting some of the most amazing people. I'd be silly to miss out starting my blog too wouldn't I?

This year I've also grown up a little bit and in the words of Alex Turner I needed to 'snap out of it'. I've put off driving lessons for so long and this year I finally put my mind to it. Not only that I realised who my friends were and didn't make the effort with those who didn't with me. Sure you might lose a few people you considered closest to you but this year has shown me a lot. As well as losing friends I've lost friends of the male variety, yes boys are still a pain in the arse (just a few that is). It has to be said though having a certain someone in your life shouldn't be your sole reason for happiness, realising that has made the majority of this year a lot smoother. So goodbye 2013 in pictures, here's to 2014.

(A lot of selfies of me and the best friend isn't there?!)

Now for the New Year resolutions:

General

• Spend more time with family/friends - I have a massive family and sometimes I feel like I just don't see them enough apart from family events. As for friends I want to be more spontaneous in plans.
• Control my spending habits - Do I really need that new pair of shoes that look similar to ones I already own? I'm planning on a spending ban for the whole of January!
• Put my gym membership to use/eat healthier - I'm stupidly conscious of myself and I've had a gym membership for 7 months that's been used once, yes once. Need to step my game up.
• Pass my driving test - I'm so eager to complete this one, it gives you so much more independence and would be so convenient for me for work and everyday stuff.

Blogging

• Aim for at least 3 blog posts a week - Posting more regular is my biggest aim, consistency is the key with this one so a more settled routine and stop being so bloody lazy.
• Set myself some blogging goals - I want a few goals to look back on in a year and be able to say I've done all of them, maybe even gone to further lengths.
• Redesign my blog completely - I'm fairly happy with how my blog looks right now but there is definitely a few things I'd like to change about it all.
• Speak to and meet more bloggers - Using twitter chats using the #bbloggers hashtag has allowed me to speak to some lovely people as well as discover new blogs. I want to continue this even more.

Beauty/Hair

• Paint my nails more often - Not so long ago I would paint my nails every other day. I've slacked so much and want to get back into the swing of pretty finger tips.
• Wash my make up brushes more - I already do at least once a week but improving skin care can always be helped with extra clean brushes
• Experiment with products more - I'm often stuck behind neutral shades so I want to try and be a little bit more bold in the products I use
• Make more effort with my hair - Not so proud to say I've become so lazy with my hair, I embrace my natural wavy hair far too much. Will those extra 15 minutes in bed really make a difference?

So here we are in 2014, what are your resolutions this year?

What I Got For Christmas 2013

Firstly I want to massively apologise for not posting in over two weeks. If you work in retail you will get me when I say it is the worst time of the year. I absolutely love Christmas but arsey customers don't half get you down. It doesn't help with your blogging schedule when you're working twelve days in a row. So I failed blogmas massively, sigh. Regardless of my ramblings I had the most lovely Christmas and already counting down to next years festivities. Just a little disclaimer to say that I'm not in no way bragging about any of these things I have been kindly gifted by my nearest and dearest. I've just been loving being nosey at everyone else posts if I'm honest with you. 

| The Yummy Stuff |

Could you get any more opposite in terms of mugs? My best friend Zoe got me the Joy Division one and secret Santa at work the Mike Wazowski offering (I love Disney too much). As for all the yummy treats, half of them are gone, oops, and I can't remember who got me what now, oops again. The little union jack tin though was picked out using my mum's purse no doubt by my little brother. It's filled with yummy shortbreads but the cute tin will come in handy after they're all gone.

| The Fluffy Stuff |

It's out of hand how much I want a real Dalmatian in my life so my Mum substituted with these cute nightwear items. I actually spotted these PJ's in Primark and mentioned them to my mum, she certainly listens. As for another person who listens is my Dad's girlfriend, Lyn. Since moving house back in October it's a little cold sometimes even with the heating on. We're placed on a hill with an open chimney and we get all sorts of little draughts around the house so she got me the lovely and snuggley hot water bottle in dog form. I'm the crazy dog lady, never mind cat lady.

| The Beauty Stuff |

Polka dot nail files, I was sold straight away. A couple of magnetic nail polishes I'm excited to try out. Bath bombs (though my angle here doesn't show them very well but them pastel blobs are bath bombs, honest). I embrace my paleness as much as possible but sometimes not being able to rock a gorgeous nail polish colour breaks my little heart at times so a girl has to fake it now and then, can't wait to experiment with this Xen Tan - who said Dad's can't make good beauty picks without any assistance or hints. A gorgeous scent from Ghost in Anticipation (I also had DKNY Be Delicious which isn't pictured). I actually had two of these Soap and Glory sets but it's full of travel sizes and no doubt I will make my way through the Hand Food's once popped into my handbag (I've had a new bag as well too actually which isn't in these pictures too).

| The Pretty Stuff |

I'm not entirely sure where the necklace is from as it came in a sparkly gift box but I love it. I'm not a massive jewellery wearer but I want to be and I love this simple piece. Yes I am still swooning at these Pandora boxes. Now if I'm honest with you I knew that my Nana had brought me a leather bracelet because back in August she popped into to my work (there's a Pandora stockist in the shop next door) and asked what colour bracelet I wanted. As for the other little box I wasn't expecting it at all but my Mum really made my day with this one. It needs a picture of it's own:

I've been lusting after this charm for ages and I knew they had sold out everywhere in stores in my local area so my Mum was a star and managed to get it online. I love scooters as mad as that sounds and always get over excited when I see one. I'd love to own a Vespa one day. Enough scooter talk anyway.

| The Technology Stuff |

If you've never watched any of the This Is England stuff it's well worth the watch (I know it's available on 4od still!) My best friend got me this Limited Edition version of The View's Which Bitch? album, it has a DVD with it that contains a documentary and a live gig so I can't wait to watch all that. The only thing I asked for this Christmas was an iPod docking station and I love this one from BUSH, it's so mini and cute and I love it loads (I sound like a complete saddo but MUSIC). If anything blew me away then it was this little secret surprise from my Dad. Never in my life did I expect the latest iPad Air. I haven't put it down if I'm honest since I opened it and I can't wait for 2014 blogging wise with this amazing product.

I feel so lucky to have such amazing family and friends who are so thoughtful and kind. I hope all my lovely readers had an amazing Christmas and a Happy New Year also!

In Love With Fashion Mini Haul

I recently won a voucher code for In Love With Fashion. I picked up a couple of items in their sale section and couldn't believe how much of a bargain they were. I'm loving their brand, it was quick delivery too considering they offer free UK standard delivery. So impressed by the brand and can't wait to order again.

| Black Suede Platform Sandal - RRP £36 Now £10 |

These wonderful little shoes have been further discounted since I picked them up. I haven't worn them yet so I can't comment on the comfort of them but I can tell you they are so cute and I think will be perfect for party season. I'll probably style them with dark coloured high waisted jeans.

| Green Roll Neck Collar Skater Dress - RRP £36 Now £10 |

I adore the colour of this dress for a start and I'm a massive fan of the skater style. It's a chiffon type material so it's lightweight and can easily be layered. The roll neck collar is a simple twist to the dress as well and as it's sleeveless it will look great teamed up with some kind of jacket.

Have you brought anything from In Love With Fashion?

Last Minute Gift Set Bargains

If you're like me then you might of got the majority of Christmas presents but there might be one or two things might make someones gifts that little bit better. At the same time though we seem to be too busy treating everyone else and forgetting about yourself. There's so many gift set bargains out there, a lot are going on sale already too. There's so many products out there I'd like to get my hands on and now I'm doing the "Do you still not know what to get me for Christmas?" to people. If only I'd done my research on all these fab sets doing the rounds in the beauty blogging world to let people know what I'd quite like.

• bareMinerals The Beach Collection (RRP £39 - Now £31.20)
• Philip Kingsley Happy Hair Days Kit (£19.99)
• Clinique Party Favours (RRP £55 - Now £49.50)
• Soap & Glory Good, Butter, Best (£8)
• Liz Earle Limited Edition Cleanse & Polish (£19.75)
• Nails Inc Snowflake Collection (RRP £15 - Now £13.50)
• Bumble and Bumble The Tousled Two Step (£27)
• Benefit Limited Edition How To Look The Best At Everything (RRP £25.50 - Now £15)
• Burt's Bees Essentials Kit (£11.69)
• Too Faced Poolside Primping (RRP £32 - Now £22)

Is there any gift sets you're lusting after?

The Brand Edit - Seventeen

Seventeen is a brand that I always used to walk straight past in the long line of beauty counters in Boots. I started to see loads of good reviews about a lot of new products and decided it was time to try a few things out from their range. I've got to say I haven't been let down by anything either.

The first product is actually a free limited edition gift when you spend £8 on Seventeen products so definitely get yourself to Boots or online while stocks last!

| Brow's That Brow Kit (Limited Edition) - £6 | I've been on the search for a brow kit for ages but all of them out there seem to be to dramatic for my own liking. Seen as this was free I thought I would give it a whirl. It contains a mini eyebrow pencil, a wax, a setting powder and a highlight powder. Used all together you can create some serious good looking brows. Since getting my hands on this there hasn't been a day where I haven't used it. The pencil works fine just on it's own as well for a quick make-up routine, on a Monday morning rush anyway. I want to explore more of Seventeen's brow products now.

| On The Spot Concealer (Medium) - (£4.99) | As much as I enjoy this product my only problem with it is the colour range. They currently only have on shade which is a bit too dark on my skin and can look like it's dried out on my pale skin after a few hours of wearing it. However, It vows to  clear up spots in 4 weeks. I do feel like my skin cleared up a lot in a few days of wearing this product. It's a shame I can only use this though when I've got a tan - which has to be faked this time of the year.

| Phwoarr Paint (Fair) - £5.49) | Much improved this one with the two different shades it's available in. The shade 'fair' is so much more suited to my skin. This is brilliant for under the eyes and helps brighten them and make myself look a lot more awake when I am still half asleep. You can also use this as a normal concealer in any other blemished areas and it works brilliantly and doesn't crease or dry out.

| Skin Wow Primer - £5.99) | This product is described as a primer even though the bottle packaging does actually say '3 way highlighter'. Personally I'd find this far too shimmery as a primer but as a highlighter - let's just say there's a reason it has become part of my everyday make-up routine. It gives me a lovely luminous glow especially in this cold weather when everything seems a little dull apart from your neighbour's Christmas lights that flash through your bedroom window all night. Simply apply to cheekbones for a skin 'WOW'.

I think Seventeen have really come into their own at the moment and I am loving the names they are picking for their products, reminds me a little of Benefit's wittiness. 

Do you love any of Seventeen's products?