Xlash Eyelash Serum: A Review

Lately, I think I have been focusing so much on the other parts of my face in terms of care, that I neglected one part that needed a little TLC - my eyelashes. 

Not to blow my own trumpet, but I used to have long lashes growing up, with even teachers and the dinner ladies commenting on how long they were! However, as I have gotten older, they're not as long and are in need of a little love and care. 

Protecting Your Mental Health On Social Media

*This post contains PR products. See the end of the post for more details.

Social media is one of those things in which you have your biggest love/hate relationship with, there's no denying it. The range of emotions I have felt when scrolling through social media since it became such a phenomenon in the last 10 years or so. From frustration, sadness, happiness and even jealousy and bitterness on the odd occasion, social media brings up so many feelings and emotions that some of the time, we have to tweet, post or share our thoughts on it. Maybe we do that as a cathartic release or to just show people we have feeling from beyond the screen, who knows. 

The Benefits Of Keeping A Health Diary

With all the illnesses and god knows what else I have going on inside my body, something I started doing a few years ago was to keep a health diary.

How do I record this information? I don't use an app of any sort, I use the old fashioned method of a notebook and pen. I started a health diary for the different aspects of my health to keep track of everything. I have a food diary, an exercise diary, a blood glucose level diary and an overall health diary. This does involve a few notebooks, but you know, any excuse for new stationary is something I am all for. I fill it in on a daily basis before I go to bed and it helps me flag up any changes or causes for concern. 

Are We As Blogger's Oversharing Online?

Becoming a blogger four and half years ago, I had learnt very quickly that becoming a blogger meant that I had to be quite open about my life online. I wasn't forced to, but being a blogger meant I would need to open up about things eg my life and my thoughts and feelings on different topics. 

Why I'm No Longer Listening To Instagram Advice

Before I really delve into this post, Instagram is an app which I have loved since I first downloaded the app in 2014. I love sharing photos from my photo album, being inspired by my favourite creators with their wonderful images and talent and just liking photos in general! Yet I've gotten to a stage where I think Instagram has descended it's hate onto my profile. It's not showing my photo on my follower's feeds, hashtags don't work for me (even the ones that used to work for me in the past) and no matter how much I communicate with others on the app, Instagram doesn't seem to appreciate that. Sigh. Here's the thing though guys - I really don't care anymore. Ok, it does sound like I care a little, but honestly, I don't care half as much as I used to.

Reflecting On A Year In Lockdown

This last twelve months has been similar to doing the Hokey Cokey. We've been in, out, in, out and shaking it all about. Before going back in again. 

We've reached the point that it was over a year ago that the first lockdown was announced and we were told to stay at home. All of us thinking that this lockdown was going to be the one and only lockdown. By the Summer, we were going to go back to our normal lives and Covid would have been a distant memory. Oh how wrong we were. 

PMD Clean Body: A Review

*Item in this post are PR products and this post also contains affiliate links. See the end of post for more details. 

Who doesn't love a new skincare device?! Especially one that has FOUR functions in one device.

Back last year, I reviewed the PMD Clean and it's a device that has benefitted my skin so much and I swear it has stopped some of the acne that would have appeared on my face if I had not used it.

Tips To Stay Safe On Staycation

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Everyone is itching to get on the travel websites and book their next holiday or break away. Actually, thinking about it, a lot of people have already booked their first trip away post Covid. But even if we are allowed to book holidays, Covid is still around and it's vital for us to keep ourselves and others safe when we go away anywhere.

What are my staycation plans I hear you ask? I have a (rebooked) trip to Liverpool for August. This trip was meant to happen in March 2020 and I have rebooked it three times since so I'm praying my backside off that it still happens. You just never know anymore, do you?! 

My Weird Self Care Habits

*Post contains previous PR items. See the end of the post for more details. 

Self care is something that is constantly promoted by blogger's, the media, health professionals and even through family and friends.

There's no limit to the amount of self care habits you choose to have in your self care routine and every person's self care habits and routine are different to suit that person's needs, physically and mentally. Self care habits don't have to be short terms fixes such as a bubble bath or reading a book, it can be a long term fix such as establishing a self care routine for yourself and your personal needs. 

6 Inspirational & Creative Women I Follow Online

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women from all over the globe and raise awareness of women's equality.

In the past, I've talked about the women who inspire me in my life away from the screen. But I want to talk about some of the inspirational and creative women I follow online.

How To Spring Clean Your Life

*Items in these post photos are previous PR products. 

Please see the end of the post for more details.

It's that time of year where we start to think about spring cleaning our homes, whether it's hoovering under the sofas, flipping the mattresses (a monstrous task), clearing the shed out or sorting out the cupboard under the stairs (Yes, people still have those!). 

But instead of telling you to get the Dettol or your Dyson out, I want to talk to you about how to spring your life. 

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2021

It feels like only yesterday that I was busting a gut trying to get my Valentine's Day Gift Guide written and published before the 14th February. Now it's time for my next gift guide of the year - the Mother's Day Gift Guide.

I make it no secret that I adore my Mam and she's been such a positive influence in my life and been my rock through all the tough times. I love treating my Mam on this day of the year, I love to show my love and appreciation for everything she's done for me not only in the past year, but since, well, forever. 

How To Support A Small Business Without Spending Money

Of course buying an item from a small business is the most effective way to support them, my brain hasn't turned into a complete pile of mush I promise! But I want to talk about how to support a small business without spending money.

I made it my mission this year to support as many small businesses as I can. They need so much help now as they've been put in a precarious position with this thing called a pandemic taking over the world. 

Skinimalism: The Beauty Trend For 2021

*This post contains PR products. See the end of the post for details.

If Pinterest is all over this trend guys, I'm all over it too (for social media reasons and I'm trying to win over Pinterest)

Covid Vaccine: My Experience

After what feels like months of endless waiting, I am thrilled to say that I have had my first Covid vaccine! This genuinely feels like the light at the end of the tunnel that I couldn't see for so long and I'm utterly thrilled to have had 1 out of the 2 standard vaccines to protect myself!

Now, I did post an IGTV video on my Instagram account about my Covid vaccine experience, but I thought I would write a post for those who don't have Instagram and would prefer to read than to listen to me wale on and on.

How To Stay Connected During Lockdown

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The non-existent physical contact between loved ones now is hurting. It's been almost a year since I got to hug a member of my family or a friend, it's so incredibly sad and I miss the face-to-face contact so much. However, I've learnt to embrace the new form of communication that we have in our hands - technology.

Lily Lolo: Makeup Review

I can't even remember the last time I did a makeup review. Have I actually? Well, let's start off by doing for this brand - Lily Lolo.

Lily Lolo was a discovery for me a few years ago when I bought their concealer from FeelUnique. I was after a concealer that wasn't in liquid form as I found liquid concealer wasn't lasting for more than a few hours without me needing to reapply. 

Valentine's Day Gift Guide For Him & Her

*Items in this post are previous PR products. See the end of my post for more details.

I've been blogging for over four years now and it's dawned on me that I have NEVER done one single gift guide. Am I even a blogger?!

So yes, what better gift guide to start on than a Valentine's Day one. I'll be single (as per) this Valentine's Day and I thought, rather than blithering on about being single for Valentine's Day and just drowning my sorrows with vodka and buying myself some new underwear, I thought I'd do a gift guide for those who are celebrating Valentine's this year at home. 

Staying Positive & Helping My Mental Health In Lockdown

*This post is sponsored. See the end of the post for details. 

Ok, this is not how 2021 is supposed to go. I was not prepared to be writing more posts about lockdowns. But here I am, we're half way through January and in the midst of another lockdown like the one we were in back in March and the Spring. Sigh.

One thing I can certainly say that this lockdown feels a little scarier, as Covid seems to have completely taken over our society and is rife. I never thought this second wave would be this horrendous. The main thing is now that we keep each other safe by staying at home, wear a mask if we need to go out and socially distance, the NHS need us to do this more than ever. So behave yourselves guys!

During this lockdown, I want to keep myself as positive as I can, I want to be able to help my loved ones, online friends and even my neighbours to get through this difficult time. I've always felt that a positive mindset is key. I know that isn't going to be easy on some days. But you got this! And remember, don't feel you're alone in this, there's always someone to talk to if you feel alone. 

6 Housewarming Gift Ideas

*There are PR Products in this post. See the end of the post for more details and for a discount code. 

It feels like everybody I know is buying and moving into a new house, which is amazing to see considering the current climate we are in right now.

I cannot wait for the day I can have my own house, not just because of the independence of it all, having your own space and decorating it to your taste, but to start my own house account on Insta. You've got to think about these things. I literally cannot wait for the day when I can open a home Insta account. I'll be uploading photos to that account like there's no tomorrow!

What I Want To Improve On In 2021

2020 has been one heck of a year and now it's time to focus all my attention on 2021 and what I would (hopefully) like to achieve from it.

When a new year descends upon us, I like to take the time to reflect on the past year and what I would like to achieve in the next 12 months. Are there goals which I didn't manage to achieve or is there anything I want to be better at in 2021?

Why I Made My First Designer Purchase

We have all longed for that bag, pair of shoes, top, coat, jeans, car, sofa, hoover, coffee machine or slow cooker which is deemed expensive. Well, according to our bank accounts anyway.

But when you read five star reviews of the product or if you deem it to be an item which you will use for years to come, you will scrimp and save until you can officially say that you can afford the item. 

Well guys, I'm here to tell you...

I made my first designer purchase!

My Blogging & Social Media Goals For 2021

*Items in this post are previous PR products. Please read the disclosure at the end of the post for more details. 

What will blogging be like in 2021 for us? Well, I'm hoping that I won't need to write posts about pillow challenges or lockdown routines this year. 

It's hard to believe that it's been an actual calendar year since I last made goals for my blog. Yes, honestly guys, it is 2021. It does still feel like March 2020 some days.