Hello October

It's getting chilly! It feels like not so long ago I was getting excited about the sun coming out and the days getting warmer and longer. But here we are at the beginning of October, nights drawing in, frosty mornings starting and Halloween around the corner. 

October is one of my favourite months of the year. It always feels so fresh and new and I love the excitement that's starting to build ahead of winter and Christmas. Autumn is my favourite season and I cannot wait to dig out the chunky knit sweaters and scarves. And Halloween of course.

September was a pretty good month. After a very average August I was ready to get into the new month full steam ahead and I did. Apart from the last few blog posts which for some reason are picture less, sorry about that, working on getting that fixed, the blog feels good to me again and I'm enjoying it. I'm looking forward to ending the blogging year on a high with lots of posts planned for the next few months.

I FINALLY ordered pictures from Australia to make a start on the picture book which I want finished by the end of the year so I can do it all over again next year for 2016 photos. It feels good to be a bit creative and also to look back on the photos from what was the most incredible experience of my life. It's a project I want to make sure I do annually so my photos no longer sit on a memory stick but are something we can look back on and remember the good times we've had and all the things we've done. 

Going forward this month I just generally want to be more relaxed and put less pressure on myself. September has been really good for that and I've felt so much better for it so I want to keep it up going forward. 

I hope you all had a great September and have a wonderful, and down right spooky, October.

Until next time, 

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Thought of the week #32

Being creative is a great release of stress and pent up emotions, writing, painting, singing, anything. But sometimes being creative feels a bit of a mess and your mind feels a jumble. That's ok. Create through it and create to make sense of it and get it out. Feeling on edge about potential creativity will only make you feel down let it out and express yourself however you feel best and enjoy to buzz that comes from it.

Until next time,

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Currently | September

After a rubbish August and a mediocre start of the month September has ended up being, on the whole, a good month. I can feel changes in the air and I'm so excited for Autumn to come. So, as with the end of every month, here's a few things I've been loving this month. 

Food

This month I've been making a conscious effort to try and keep my lunches meat free. There's no real reason but I really like experimenting with food and I feel like I always think of meat as a staple but there's no reason it should be. Vegetables are so versatile and so tasty, not to mention really good for you. I've made lentil bolognaise, spicy chickpeas and veggie burgers all of which will be up on the blog soon for you to try.

Reading

I haven't started and finished a book this month I just haven't been in the space for it. But at the beginning of the month I finished 'On the other side' by Carrie Hope Fletcher, which I loved. It was magical and beautiful and a great all round story. I'll have a full review up soon and hopefully more book related things next month. 

Lifestyle

I have been loving my Skinstitut products, and I'm not just saying that because I got sent them. I think they're great products and have done my skin wonders. I'll have wrap up of all of them next month once I've been using them for a full month but, spoiler alert: they're great. I also picked up some Epsom Salts last month to add to my baths and was a little skeptical but every time I've used them I've felt genuinely relaxed and renewed so I'm definitely going to be continuing to use them. 

Travel

As you're reading this Jack and I are off in Dorset for a long weekend which I'm really looking forward to it. I really love Dorset but haven't been in a while so expect a post about that soon. I've just been generally enjoying get out and about locally this month and feel like it's been really good for me. Sometimes it's good to get out and appreciate what you've got at home first and foremost. 

What have you been loving this month?

Until next time,

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What's in my makeup bag?

Today I thought I'd share with you a few products that I'm loving right now. These are products that, at the moment, I'm using everyday and loving. Some of them are old staples that I've re-purchased but there are a couple of newer things that have wormed there way into my everyday makeup bag.

Base

I don't wear a proper foundation everyday. I find it's too heavy and just unnecessary for day-to-day. Instead I use Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream. I find for everyday it's just what I need. It brightens my skin and makes me look more alive as well as evening out my skin tone. If you want a lot of coverage this probably isn't going to be enough for you as it's very light, also if you've got oily skin and don't like shine steer right away. 

I've also been using the Bourjois Radiance Reveal concealer underneath my eyes and in any spots that just need an extra lift or a bit more coverage. I love this concealer for any dark shadows under my eyes and really is brightening as well as giving good coverage. If I've got a spot brewing I'd use the 17 Phwoarr Paint as it's got better coverage for things like that but is definitely to heavy for a large area of uneven skin tone.

If I've got a day when I know I'm going to need makeup to last a little longer I'd also use Maybelline's Matte Maker Mattifying Powder which I've only been using a week or so but really like. It's not so matte that it doesn't let a bit of highlight through but it takes off any excess shine and just makes my make up a little more durable.

Cheeks etc.

If you've been reading this blog for a while you will know that I've been using the Body Shop Baked Bronzer for a LONG time. I love it. I find it subtle, not too orange and perfect for my fair skin. It add's a touch of sun kissed-ness without making me look like I've had a fake tan accident. It also works really well as a subtle everyday contour. 

In a recent goody bag from Clinique I got a Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm and was excited to try it. I've been using it ever since and love it. It's such an easy blush to use, you can blend it out so it's really sheer or apply it heavier if you prefer. I like it really sheer just on the apples of my cheeks for a rosy tint. It's also really glossy to gives a nice highlighty glow. 

Eyes

I picked up the NYX dream catcher shadow pallet in Dusk til Dawn a few weeks ago on a whim. I like it, I don't love it but it's got a nice variety of natural shimmer and matte colours that are easy for everyday. The matte colorus aren't as pigmented which is a shame  as I'd use them more if they were as pigmented as the shimmer shades. 

I have a love hate relationship with eyeliners. I use pen ones because they're easy to use and quick but they dry out so quickly. I'm currently using Maybelline's Master Precise and it is easy to use and precise which is great. At the moment I'm loving it but we'll see how long it lasts. 

For eyelashes I'm using Benefit's They're Real and I love it. It gives volume and length without being clumpy. It's my perfect mascasra and I will definitely be re-purchasing. 

Lips

For everyday I tend to avoid lipstick as I haven't got time to keep an eye on it that it's not fading or flaking, or to keep topping it up. For that reason I tend to use a Clinique Chubby Stick in the morning and top it up if I remember but if not just use Lucas' Paw Paw ointment (which I haven't found to buy anywhere in the UK - crying face) to keep my lips from getting chapped.  The chubby sticks are great for a pop of colour without maintenance and Paw Paw ointment is the best lip rescue I've found so will definitely be re-purchasing. 

What products can't you leave the house without at the moment? Have you tried any of these or got any eyeliner recommendations for me?

Until next time,

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Thought of the week #31

It's a simple message be whoever you want to be, do whatever you want to do and don't let anyone tell you, you can't. Sometimes it's easier said than done society and people important to you can make you feel like being you isn't enough or isn't right. It is though and it's up to you to do you 100%. It will make you happier and in the long run that's what matters most.

Until next time,

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West Dean Chilli Fiesta

The annual Chilli Fiesta is something Jack and I have been looking forward to going to since we arrived home. It's held in the beautiful spot of West Dean Gardens just outside of Chichester so it's very local to us and perfect for a day out.

Jack and I love spicy food and with Jack now being well into growing his own chilli plants (as well as tomatoes, strawberries and peppers) the Chilli Fiesta is right up our street. Although, if you're not into spicy food that's not a reason not to go along. There's plenty there to do and see throughout the weekend that doesn't involve destroying your taste buds. 

 Whilst we were there we also took the opportunity to have a stroll around the gardens as, although they are so local to us, neither of us could remember ever having been to them. They were beautiful and despite the loud salsa music coming from the main stage they were really peaceful. A lot of people had taken their own picnic and were using the gardens as a lovely little picnic spot. We hadn't taken a picnic but decided to take our lunch of choice (some absolutely delicious chilli dogs) to the gardens to lay in the sun and relax. 

Small businesses from all over have stalls over the weekend so there's plenty of food and drinks to try. I love chilli cheese and think I tried nearly every variety and came home with three - jalepeno, after burn and cracked black pepper. We've just about worked our way through them now and they were all delicious. 

 We also picked up some brownies - salted caramel, plain and of course chilli chocolate which didn't quite survive the journey home, a Katsu Curry sauce that we're yet to experiment with and two chilli plants, the fruits of which Jack has been killing people's taste buds with for a few weeks now. 

It's such a good day out but you can camp for the weekend if you're coming from further afield although you want to do that a little while in advance. You can buy tickets for next years event already so if you're keen get on it to save 20%. 

Let me know if you've been to the chilli fiesta or if you're planning on going next year.

Until next time,

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Thought of the week #30

We all take things for granted. The everyday things that are just there that we forget not everyone has. Our health, our family and friends, our jobs, food and clean water. We often forget how lucky we are to have those things, things that we just assume will always be there or that we'll always have. There are so many people without those things that we take for granted on a daily basis, and one day we might be without them. It's important to remember to be grateful for all the things we have as there's people out there who would do anything for those things.

Until next time,

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