February Summary

February is nearly always my least favourite month of the year. It's bitterly cold, summer seems so far away and Christmas feels like a distant dream. But for saying I never really enjoy February, this one hasn't been too bad!

I've decided to write these posts mainly because I think they will be nice for me to look back on in the future, and it's also a nice way to look back at the month and see what I've actually done, as sometimes the months just seem to merge together and I don't even know what I've done with that time!

First off, Eastenders! Who killed Lucy?! We all know now! I hadn't watched it in five years but I had to tune in for that one!

This month I've worked nearly full time as there was overtime up for grabs (yay!) but I had a week off too at the start of the month which I really enjoyed!

I've been really good at going to the gym this month, I feel like I finally have a routine down and I am enjoying going. I'm still getting my eating on track (we've had Valentines Day and Pancake Day this month, obviously there were some naughty treats involved!) I also did a 6.5 miles (10.5 km) run with my friend last week! We were really proud of ourselves because we hadn't been running in a while and we didn't think we would be able to run that far! Just double that and then I'm ready for the half marathon...

Speaking of healthy eating, I've tried out a few new recipes this month (nothing too fancy) but I'm really trying to eat more roasted veggies and sweet potato. I also ordered some coconut oil and agave syrup which arrived the other day, which will mean I can bake some healthy goodies!

Blogging-wise, I've been quite good at posting this month, I've been writing and scheduling two posts a week, one a review usually and the other anything else that I feel like posting really! 

One of my best friends also asked me to be a bridesmaid for her in 2016! How exciting! You can check her blog out here.

I actually ended up having a date on Valentine's Day! Even though I wrote this post. It was nice to have good company and a meal cooked for me!

I haven't done much this month because I've been pretty skint after buying my new laptop which I bought at the beginning of February. I've been really good and haven't bought any new clothes or anything! Just hibernated and been to the gym really!

So what have I been loving this month? I haven't tried any new beauty products, but I've been loving Max Factor Flawless Perfection Blusher in Classic Rose (review coming soon!) I also can't get enough of Crabtree & Evelyn Spiced Ginger Hand Therapy Cream (a random one, I know!) I received this at the Blogger Secret Santa Meet Up in November. I've been loving my Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette too! It's so versatile! 

Other non-beauty related things I've been loving are:
My new Macbook Pro! I basically spent all my wages on it.. But I needed it and I love it so much! Broadchurch is what I've been loving on the telly! And I'm so happy that there's going to be a season 3! The gym, really getting into fitness again and I'm loving feeling stronger! Roasted veggies (can't get enough of them at the moment!)

That's it really! where has February gone?!

What you can expect from my blog in March.. 
I have a couple of reviews scheduled already! I have a lot of posts that I have planned to write, so we shall see which ones I manage to put together next month! I would like to post at least one post that's fitness/health related, maybe a healthy recipe or I might post my workout regime, I'll see what I can come up with!

And here's what I posted on Instagram this February!

1. Googling salad recipes on my week off!

2. This is one of the salad recipes, roasted sweet potato and a greater courgette, super easy!

3. A photo I took in New York in September 2014. Reminiscing!

4. How my friend asked me to be one of her bridesmaids! How cute?!

5. I think my parents felt sorry for me being single on Valentines day so they bought me some presents! So lovely!

6. The gardens at my gym, beautiful.

7. Yummy lunch to substitute my craving for cheese on toast!

8. Wrapped up in blankets with a cuppa watching The Little Mermaid after my long run. 

9. Off to see Fifty Shades of Grey! I thought it was alright actually, I liked how the whole thing was composed.

To end my February, tonight I am off to Sheffield to have a night out with the uni lot, which should be fun!

How was your February?

Revlon Colorstay Concealer Review

When I was in America I couldn't find my go to Collection 2000 concealer (not sure if they stock the brand there) but Revlon's Colorstay Concealer was available and it looked pretty similar and I do love their Colorstay Foundation, so I though I'd give it a go! 

When I put on the concealer all seemed well, the colour matched my skin perfectly, it blended easily and concealed my shadows under my eyes and any redness. However this product does not wear nearly as well as the Collection 2000 concealer. Throughout the day it seemed to smear and crease easily under my eyes. The product didn't stay put very well and seemed quite oily. I decided quite quickly that I didn't get on with it well. I had to apply a lot of powder on top to get it to set, but it still seemed to move throughout the day. The product claims to provide a flawless look for up to 24 hours, I disagree with that statement! 

Revlon Colorstay is available for £6.99 at  Boots, but Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection is available  at only £3.99. I know which I'm going to go for next time! I've already repurchased Collection 2000 favourite. I will write a full review on it soon! I've given Revlon Colorstay Concealer the following ratings:

Product: 2

Lasting Ability: 2

Packaging: 4

Value For Money: 2

Overall: 2.5

What's your favourite drugstore concealer?

Things That Annoy Me at the Gym

I've been going to the gym a lot more recently and I've kinda noticed that there's a few things that really get on my wick.. So as you know I love writing a good old list, so I though I'd get them all of my chest!

1. When people talk on the phone. If you can talk that easily, you're not working hard enough.

2. When guys literally throw their weights on the floor, and I jump so hard I about fall of the treadmill.

3. When people scream/grunt/shout; you're not giving birth!

4. When you really want to use that piece of equipment, but there's someone just sat on it texting!

5. People that post on social media about going to the gym, when they're sat doing nothing.

6. Getting static shocks off the treadmill, like it's not scary enough as it is!

7. Having to hunt around the whole room for a weight because somebody didn't put it back.

8. When you put your hair up and it just keeps falling out. Bun? nope. Ponytail? nope. Three bobbles?! Nope.

9. Girls that talk constantly and aren't really working out (hence why I prefer going to the gym alone!).

10. When there's no where to put your iPod so resort to putting it down your bra..

11. Those naked women in the changing room that seem to manage to put everything else on first before their knickers. I just don't know where to look!

12. When it's so busy and you can't get on anything :(

What annoys you most at the gym!?

Max Factor Crème Puff Powder Review

I know a lot of people don't like powders, but personally I swear by them. I have a really oily t-zone so setting my foundation with a good powder is essential! I also like to reapply throughout the day to keep my skin looking matte. The dewy look is not for me! I bought Max Factor's Crème Puff Pressed Powder over Christmas as there was an offer where if you spent so much on Max Factor you got a free gift set, so I thought I may as well try their powder as my usual Maybelline had run out!

The Powder comes in a pressed form. The packaging is neat and slim (easy to fit in my bag) which I like. However I am missing the mirror you often get in compact style powders, as it means I have to carry around a separate mirror in my bag if I just want to check my lippy! Also the sponge isn't great, I prefer the typical powder puff. Of course at home I would use a large brush to apply, but I try not to carry around much makeup with me as it weighs my bag down. 

Max Factor Claims that the product gives a medium to high coverage and can be used for all skin types and gives a flawless matte finish. I would agree with this.

In terms of the powder its self, I went for Medium Beige which is perfect for my skin tone. It applies flawlessly and sets my makeup really well and lasts a good few hours before I have to reapply (and this is only because my skin is so oily!) But as you can tell from the photo above, it provides a lovely matte finish, and if you like that look as I do, that's perfect. No oil in site on this face!! The only thing I dislike about the product is that it does have a very strong powdery smell, and whilst I know some people love this smell, I can't help but think it reminds me of old ladies! It's a little overpowering. 

I rate Max Factor's Pressed Powder with:

Packaging: 2

Product: 4

Value for money: 5

Overall: 3.5

I would buy this product again, it's good value for money but you can tell that Max Factor have cut costs with the packaging, but for £5.99 for a good powder I guess you can't argue. This powder is available from Boots here.

Do you use powder? If so which is your favourite?

Urban Outfitters Book Haul

Around Christmas time (yes I have a backlog of posts oops!) Urban Outfitters had 30% off their books, and combined with my student discount that was 40% off.. I felt a haul coming on!

I love Urban Outfitters books, they sell so many different, quirky books and they all look nice on a shelf. I went for quite a wide range of books!

The first book I chose was "Whatever You Are, Be a Good One" 100 Inspirational Quotations, hand-lettered by Lisa Congdon. 

This book is so cute, if you just want to feel inspired or uplifted, this is a great book to have a flick through. The typography and illustrations in this book are also amazing, the author is very talented.

The second book I picked up was "The New Braiding Handbook" 60 Modern Twists on The Classic Hairstyles, by Abby Smith.

Although I love the idea of this book, the tutorials are quite difficult to follow at times! I think maybe I'll get used to it after trying a few out, but the first couple I tried weren't that successful! But I think it is very difficult to explain in a few photos how to do a hairstyle. But this book is always a good go to for inspiration.

"You Only Live Once" A Lifetime of Experiences for the Explorer in All of Us by The Lonely Planet.

Talk about Wanderlust!! This book just makes me want to jump on the first plane to France and go work in a vineyard for a month. It's full of amazing ideas, and it has inspiration for different time frames: an hour, day, week, month, and year! There's 1000 different experiences to inspire you, and there's something for all ages and all budgets. It's the kind of book that can really help you make your own bucket list, I know it helped me with mine!

"Best Ever Photography Tips" by The Lonely Planet.

This book is really great for the amateur photographer (like me) looking to improve their skills whilst travelling. This little guide is easy to fit in any bag and is crammed full of useful and simple to follow tips. I really rate this book, I'll definitely be taking it on my next trip.

Another Lonely Planet book: "The World: A Traveller's Guide to the Planet".

This book is basically the traveller's ultimate guide! It has a short guide to every country. I haven't properly sunk my teeth into this book (I can't or I'll get sad that I'm stuck in England!) but next time I'm planning a trip this will definitely come in handy. 

You can view Urban Outfitters full range of books here.

What's your favourite guide-style book?

Burt's Bees Nourishing Lip Balm Review

I picked up Burt's Bees Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter whilst I was in America. I just needed a new lip balm and they seem to have a lot of Burt's Bees in American stores. 

The claim:

"Hydrate and soften lips naturally with this nourishing 100% natural lip balm. Specially formulated with mango butter, this replenishing balm soothes, moisturises and protects to reveal smooth, healthy lips. Lips will love its lush, fruity flavor and the soft, moisturised feeling it leaves behind."

I really like the texture of the lip balm, it is very moisturising and leaves my lips nice and soft. I don't love it as much as my old favourite Nivea (read the review here) but it's a nice, refreshing lip balm. I think if I was to buy another one I would go for a different flavour, as the mango is a bit sweet I think! I always like lip balms better once they've softened up a bit, and this one is at that stage now so I'm happy. I love how it's 100% natural too, as obviously we end up digesting a lot of our lip products! So it's nice to know there's nothing nasty entering my body. 

I'm going to start rating products out of 5 on my reviews. I'll rate them on different factors depending on what I think is relevant for that product. I'm going to give Burt's Bees Nourishing Lip Balm:

Product: 4

Lasting Ability: 4

Packaging: 5

Value For Money: 3

Overall: 4

The full collection of Burt's Bees lip balms is available here.

What's your favourite lip balm?

The Pros and Cons of Being Single

Seeing as Valentine's Day is fast approaching, I thought I'd write a good old list post about how I feel being single is treating me! I have to say it's a bit of a love/hate relationship; I can't really decide if I want a relationship or not!

What I hate about being single:

♥I don't have anyone to take my OOTD posts!
♥I miss cuddles.
♥I'd like someone who shares the same interests as me.
♥I'm the only one of my girlfriends left without a boyfriend.

♥I would like someone to plan my future with.

♥If you say you don't like being treated to nice things, you're lying.
♥I want someone to go on dates with.
♥I want someone to cook and chill out with.
♥I miss sex!

♥Sometimes I just want to moan to someone about life!
♥Having someone to text constantly or just being able to tell those stupid little you notice things to.
♥Someone to be able to go on holiday or travel with.

But on the other hand, here's what I love about being single!:

♥There's no one to hold me back.
♥I don't have someone that's telling me what and what not to do, or generally being needy.

♥I don't have to plan everything around someone else, I have my time to myself.
♥I can not shave my legs for as long as I like!
♥When a guy flirts with me, I can flirt back.
♥When people moan about their boyfriends, I smile inside.
♥Don't have to worry about getting pregnant!
♥If I want to look like crap all day, that's fine.
♥I don't have to worry about anyone cheating on me or letting me down.
♥I love my own company.

♥I get up at 5am every day, work all day and am in bed by 10pm, I don't think many guys would put up with that!
♥I never really liked Valentines Day Anyway.

♥No drama.
♥I'm freeeeee!

Even though I'm single, I'll still be treating myself this Valentine's Day, I'm going to spend the first part of my day at the gym, then I intend to undo all my hard work by eating chocolate and watching Disney films, perfect!

How will you guys be spending your Valentine's Day? Whether single or in a relationship!