Monthly Favourites: January 2016

Not going to lie it feels so weird to be sitting here in front of my computer about to write out my favourite for this month. Ah, like where the heck has January gone?! We're already a month into 2016 & it's gone way to fast for my liking. Here are this months favourites.

MAKE UP // Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara >> keep an eye out for a up coming review.

SKINCARE // Nivea Irresistibly Smooth Body Lotion with Shea Butter

APP // Eve >> this is one of the best period tracking apps ever, all you girls need it.

FOOD // A good ole classic chicken salad

DRINK // Ice cold water >> weird but so bloody good on a hot day.

YOUTUBE // Desi Perkins >> https://www.youtube.com/user/DesireePerkinsMakeup

INSTAGRAM // Sierra Furtado >> https://www.instagram.com/sierrafurtado/

FILM // Hunger Games Mocking Jay Part Two

TV SERIES // Pretty Little Liars & Sensing Murder

ALBUM // Purpose, Justin Bieber

SONG // All My Friend by Snakehips, Tinashes & Chance the Rapper

PERSON // Cassidy >> i pretty much spent all of January with her.

MOMENT/MEMORY // Sunbathing & swimming at the beach

PLACE // Evolve Festive 2016

PHOTO // 

B x

From Blah To Bad Arse

For those of you suffering with the mid week blues I thought I'd talk about five simple steps that will take your day from blah to badass in seconds. We all have these days sometimes & sometimes there's no real reason behind it & that's ok. I find that a few tweaks here & there can really turns something from blah to badass in seconds.

#1 // GO OUTSIDE
If it's not trench-all down pour or blowing a gale outside then I find getting some fresh air into my lungs is amazing feeling & can be just what you need. I know that getting some fresh air always helps clear my mind & I  can go back to what I'm doing or what needs to be done with a clear mind set. You could always go for a walk or a run, but I think the main thing is that you are outside inhaling the badass & exhaling the blah.

#2 //  ME TIME
Do something that relaxes you. For some people it might be going to the gym, for others in might be having a hot bubble bath. Whatever relaxes you do it. It's also about taking some time for yourself & you can easily reflect & clear you mind. I always like to do a bit of yoga or mediation.

#3 // DITCH THE DEVICES
Put down your laptop  your phone. Something I need to work on but it's a matter of practice what you preach right? We I turn off my devices I know that I don't have to worry about who's liking my photos on Instagram or who's directing messaging me on Twitter. Again, it's about taking time for yourself. Read a book or jump into the kitchen & get creative. Delve into something that is going to make you forget the rest.

#4 // GIVE SOMETHING NEW A GO
Try something that you've never done before. Do something that scares you. At the end of the day you'll be proud that you did & that you accomplished something new.

#5 // A GOOD DEAD
I always find helping someone else or doing something nice for another person always makes me feel better. Whether it's helping someone with their shopping or paying someone a compliment. It can be absolutely anything not only will they be grateful but you'll feel great for it too.

B x

Updated > What's In My Handbag

I currently have a black Tosca handbag, however because I brought mine second hand in brand new condition so I'm not a hundred percent sure where you'd be able to get yourself one. I had a quick browse on eBay but couldn't find anything there but I'm sure if you did a more in depth search on the internet you'd find it or something very similar.

I absolutely adore my handbag, it's exactly what I have been looking for so I was extremely pleased when I came across it. It has three compartments, along with an adjustable over the should strap as well as a little handle that you can sit in the crook of your arm. It fits everything that I need in it perfectly. 

In the first smaller pocket on the front I have; 

>> Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

>> Chichi Body Butter in Vanilla Orchid 

>> Palmolive Hand Sanitiser in Raspberry

>> A blue pen 

In the main larger pocket I have; 

>> My phone

>> My keys

>> My pink Carte leather wallet

>> A small bluebird wallet pouch which hold access cards, coins & receipts 

>> Some headphones

In the last pocket that sits at the back I have; 

>> A pair of reading glasses 

>> A pair of sunglasses 

>> A small pouch with a few essentials in such as..

>> A powder brush

>> Memory sticks

>> PK gum 

>> Nail file

>> Lip balm

>> Roller ball perfume 

That's everything I have in my handbag. I try not to let in fill up with junk because there really isn't any room for it but some how it still manages to find it's way in there! 

B x 

Twenty Sixteen I'm Ready For You

Word can't explain how excited I am for this year! I have so many things I would like to achieve & so much that I'm looking forward too. This is the year for us & we're going to do what makes us happy, right?

SCHOOL //
This year, in the way of school, I've decided to do something that will benefit myself in other ways as well. This year I'm going to be doing online school. Attending an online school is going to allow me to focus on my health & overall happiness. It's taken me a long time to realise that although I love learning, a school environment isn't for me & it wasn't doing my overall health & happiness any good. I really feel like I have made the right decision for myself & I can't wait to see where it takes me.


OUTDOORS & NATURE // 
This year I want to spend a lot more time outside & exploring nature. When I'm outside, breathing in fresh air, where it's just incredibly peaceful & beautiful, I just feel that I can connect with myself & take some time to relax, take a break anyway from everything. I can't wait to explore more of what my own country has to offer.

HEALTH //
This year I really want to focus on my health. I want to become so much more healthier. I'm gradually going to be cutting sugar, dairy & wheat out of my diet, I'm going to be focusing on my mental & emotional health as well. I'm going to get into mediation & yoga but I also really want to focus on myself & giving myself some genuine me time. Time where I can reflect & just be connected within myself.

COOKING // 
Like I said above I want to become a lot more healthier & with that I want to explore & taste new foods. I want to get into the kitchen more & just be more creative in that sense. I'll keep you updated on how I go. Hopefully I don't burn anything!

BLOG // 
This year on my blog I really would like to expand my content. I want to do a bunch of different things & really get a mixture of posts up for you all. If you have any requests of posts you'd like to see then feel free to contact me over on Twitter or flick me a direct message on Instagram >> @msbonni3ellen

ORGANISATION & ROUTINES // 
If you have been following for awhile or you know me personally you'll know that I'm quite an organised person. However this year I obviously want to & will still be that organised Bonnie however I want to focus on adapting  my routine, I want to find what's really going to work best for me. Ever since I've been sick I've kind of been all over the place but this year I want to focus on getting myself into routines that are going to be good for my health & make me feel great.

B x

A New Kitten & Spending Three Weeks With My Bestfriend?!

The last month has been a crazy one. Ever since the December the 22nd it's been full on. I've had appointments, of course Christmas Day, New Years Eve & New Years Day, I've been visiting family & friends, I've been away for a week & then these past two weeks I've had one of my best friends stay with me. Although it's all been pretty hectic, I think I've managed to have a holiday at the same time. I thought I would take this time to update you all on what I've been up to because I haven't been posting on my social media as often over this period of time.

CHRISTMAS DAY // 

My Christmas Day was amazing. I was able to spend it with some of the people that mean the most to me & I'm forever grateful for that. My sister & myself had prepared all the food for everyone which was massive but it felt good once it was all completed. It was a beautiful day & we were able to have a BBQ & go to the beach. I truly hope you all had a magical day filled with happiness.

NEW YEARS // 

New Years Eve for me was spent at the beach. It was super hot & we were able to go swimming, tan, listen to music & all them great things. My sister & myself saw the New Year in together & were able to watch some fireworks from my house. New Years Day was spent doing a small amount of shopping then we decided to go to the river due to the fact that it was so hot. 

CHRISTCHURCH //
I was in Christchurch for a week staying with some extremely close family friends, in fact I consider them my family. It was so great to see them & catch up with them. While I was down there I was also able to catch up with some other friends & family I hadn't seen in awhile which was amazing. While I was down there I also got my nose pierced. Those of you who follow me on Instagram may have already noticed.

CASSIDY COMES TO STAY //
These past two weeks I've had Cassidy stay with me. Cassidy is my childhood best friend & we've been friends for thirteen years now. We hardly ever get to see each other so it's been great to be able to spend the last three weeks with her. We've done a whole heap of shopping, we've gone out for lunch, we've been to the beach, we've been to Picton & Blenheim & we've spend hours watching tanning & spending time on social media & ultimately just gossiping & catching up. We've had so much fun together.

A NEW KITTEN?! // 

If you're following me on Twitter you might already know that I got a new wee kitten. Her name is Sylvie & I adopted her from a family who found her found her while out on their motorbikes. She's only about five weeks old, she's still very timid & I think she's possibly missing her Mum. I'm so excited to have her as apart of my family! 

B x

Gardens Of The World

Recently I visited on of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen & I thought it would back for an awesome blogpost plus I wanted to, of course, share it with you guys. So over the time that I was there I collected some photos & found out more about the gardens history.

Gardens of the World is a six acre wonderland with spectacular plantings from all around the world. Lakes, streams, bridges fountains, formal gardens, sweeping lawns, and the incredible sounds of birds, a remarkable setting with an array of plantings from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, America, Africa & Europe. With also a Herb Garden, Water Gardens & much more. What I love most is that the gardens have been landscaped so that anyone can visit at anytime of the year.

The history behind these beautiful gardens is unique & warms my heart. Geoff & Gillian Etherington were the founders of the Gardens Of The World. It was their dream to create a unique & special place for all to enjoy. The result of their vision, dedication & hard labour can be seen & appreciated today in the six races of landscaped spender. Gardens of the World have won many awards & also winning attraction for both international & domestic visitors. Today Gardens of the World is owned & operated by the Day family, a long stand Nelson family who share a passion for the gardens & this global treasure.

I had such an incredible day while visiting these gardens. It's so peaceful & really just the perfect place to relax & chill out.

HOW TO FIND GARDEN OF THE WORLD >> 
Find the beautiful gardens in Hope, Nelson.
Open from 9AM till dusk.
Entry: $5 per adult & gold coin per child.
Phone: 03 542 3736
Email: info@gardensoftheworld.co.nz
Website: www.gardensoftheworld.co.nz
Address: Corner of Paton Road & Clover Road, Hope, Nelson, New Zealand.

B x

Favourite Summer Lip

Without a doubt lipstick or any lip product for that matter is just something that I love & will probably love & collect forever. This summer I've been brave & I've been reaching for more bold shades.

This particular shade is from the Maybelline Colour Sensation Vivid range that they have. I personally love Maybelline lip products & can never seem to fault them. They apply beautifully, the packaging is simple, sleek & effective, it has a slight sent which isn't to over powering but most importantly the colour range is flawless. They have a shade for everybody.

The shade that I have been thrashing this summer is 914 Vibrant Mandarin. It's definitely a bold shade & it's simple just an orange shade but it definitely has some slight blue under tones to it. You cab sheer it out or build it up for more intensity, it's totally up to you. It definitely wouldn't be for everybody but if you ever have a chance to swatch it definitely do so, even if it's another shade from a different range then give it ago. You might just fall in love with them like I have.

B x

On My Bedside Table

I tend to have a lot of clutter on my bedside table but with that being said I chose to have a bit of a clean up & work out what I really needed & didn't need & this is what I came up with.

For a bedside table I have a white three draw piece & I love it. It's simple. it's basic & it goes with everything. On the top I've keep in rather simple. I have my favourite candle, my little red alarm clock, my grey toned lamp & a scent defuser, which keeps my room smelling fresh. 

After I've finished reading at night you'll usually just fined my book & glasses there too but also my water bottle. Especially through the summer months I find that I get super thrusting throughout the night so it's always handy to have it there. 

If you're interested in know what's in the draws, the top draw contains things like tissues, hand cream, lip balm, head phones, my book, hand sanitiser, my glasses cleaner & all those kinds of bits & pieces. 

Second draw has old magazines in it & also my bibles. I keep any reading material in this draw, so just things that I plan on reading or just extra reading material. 

Third draw is a bit a of junk draw. I have extra cords & chargers. I have wheat bags, a small hot water bottle & all that jazz. 

Bedtime for me is important. It's time for myself but also time to relax & rewind from the day. I find keep everything clean & clear on my bedside table will help keep my mind as clear as possible too. 

B x

Summer Reading List

As some of you may know, I love reading but for the most part I struggle to find the time to sit down & actually read. This summer I've made it a goal of mine to spend at least half an hour every day to read. With that being said I thought I would share a few books that I've either read or are on my to read list. Obviously this book list applies to everyone, not just for those that are in summer. But I must say one of my favourite things to do at the moment is sit in the sun with a good book.

#1 // Girl Online & Girl Online: On Tour By Zoe Sugg
If you don't know who Zoe is, she's a YouTube sensation with a following of over nine million. I adore Zoe so when I heard she was bring out a book I was over the moon. Her books are very enjoyable to read & quite an easy read. Both her books were amazing & I found them super hard to put down once I had started.

#2 // A Work In Progress By Connor Franta
I really adore Connor & his book is a true reflect on his life & everything he's learnt. I really recommend Connor's book to anyone who is looking for a super inspiring autobiography. I found his book so relatable & Connor has added so many great points & mini life lessons. Again an easy & enjoyable read!

#3 // Binge By Tyler Oakley
I seem to be have a YouTube theme going on here but no the less, Tyler's book is one that is definitely high on my to-read list. I'm so excited to get my hands on his book & start reading. Tyler has a great personality & I'm interested to see how he has showed that through his book & with what he shares with us. If you have already read Tyler's book, definitely let me know what you thought!

#4 // All The Bright Places By Jennifer Niven
This is the book that I'm currently reading. I'm about two chapters in & so far so good. I think I'm really going to enjoy it. I like how Jennifer, the author, chose to have a book related back to mental health. It's really great to see others speaking up about it & creating an awareness.

Please let me know if you have any recommendations of books I should read, I'd love to get some great ideas from you all.

B x

Firsts

Memories are the firsts that are somewhat worth remembering. Life runs on them, just like humans run on energy. Your first steps, your first day of primary school, your first best friend, your first argument, your first heartbreak. The first time you applied your makeup, the first time you drove, the first time you heard your favourite song, the first time you met someone who is still in your life today, someone that you love, care about & are inspired by, the first person you watched on YouTube & the first ever blogpost you read. All these 'firsts' are what have made up your life so far. They've created memories that you could never forget, they are part of your  life journey. Whoever said firsts were the worst are wrong. Firsts prepare you for you last. Live first.

B x 

Skincare Routine > Updated

Skincare is important & I don't think anyone can stress that enough. I cleanse, tone & moisturise my face twice daily. Looking after your skin on a daily basis is something that it'll definitely thank you for later. I believe that no matter what kind of skin type you have whether it's dry, oily or combination  or whether you have blemished skin or not, it's always going to be important to look after your skin & that goes for males to.

I tend to have combination of dry & oily skin & it does vary all the time. For me it was about finding a good balance of products that my skin would really benefit from. I am I really big fan of The Body Shop Skincare ranges, I believe I've tried something from  nearly each range that they currently have out & they never seem to fail me. They are constantly great & I'm never disappointed by them. The staff are also always super helpful if you're looking for something but you're not quite sure what you should be reaching for. 

MORNING SKINCARE // 

My morning skincare routine is very simple just because at night time is when I like to do a deep cleanse & also face masks & pore strips but they aren't something that I use every night. 

I'll wake up with a semi fresh face. I'll never got to bed with makeup on just because that's really not good for your skin & will cause nasty breakouts. So with my morning cleanser I just want something that will lightly clean my skin, unclog pores & take off any access oils, dirt & sweat from the night. I have recently been trying out The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser and so far so good. 

I'll then tone, I've been trying a couple of toners recently. The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner & also The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Toner. The Seaweed Clarifying Toner is the one that I have been using for longer but I really love both. 

Before I go in with my moisturiser I like to apply an SPF 50+ sunscreen. This can be anything that kind of sun cream thais safe to put on your face. I know that there are plenty of moisturiser that have SPF in them so that could also be something that you keep an eye out for as well. 

Then I'll go in & moisture with either The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream or the Nivea Soft Face, Body & Hands Moisturiser. Again I find both really good, they leave your skin feeling great. I find that both really keep your face feeling hydrated for a long amount of time too. 

EVENING SKINCARE // 

My evening skincare is definitely slightly more intense than what my morning time routine is. 

The first thing I'll do in the evening is take off any makeup that I'm wearing. To do this I'll use with makeup remover wipes or coconut oil. I find that either of the two are great for getting off my makeup, possibly the makeup remover wipes would be quicker but I alternate between the two. In the way of makeup wipes, anything that doesn't make you skin sting or break out is great. My personal favourite are Swisspers. You can generally pick these up from your local supermarket. 

When it comes to cleansing at night time I like to use The Body Shop Tee Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash. I honestly love this product so much & I really think it's what's been keep my skin so clear. Tee Tree Oil is so great for your skin as it's antibacterial & will help with any breakouts & blemishes. 

I will then do some kind of exfoliating scrub on my face. I generally don't tend to do this every night maybe every second night, just using a light scrub to keep any dry & dead skin off my face. I tend to use the St. Ives Apricot Scrub. There are a bunch for sensitive skin, dry skin & all the jazz so I definitely recommend checking out the brand if you haven't already. If I want a really deep exfoliant which I would most definitely only do once a week. I really love The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion Scrub. It's a really deep exfoliant & it really does leave the skin feeling fresh & new. 

I then reach for my toner. The exact same toner products the I mentioned above. I personally like putting my toner into a small spray bottle & then I would just spray it on my face rather than putting it on a cotton round. I just prefer that way personally but it's totally up to you on how you want to apply it. 

Then for moisturiser I reach for the same products that I mentioned in my morning skincare. 

I will then just apply any eye cream that I have lying around. I haven't let found a holly grail eye cream yet but I'll be sure you let you know when I do. I will also just apply a lip balm too. 

I also want to mention that The Body Shop are against animal testing & is a natural brand, which is another big tick from me. 

I do love a good face mask as well & I have a few current favourites so if you would like me to talk about those in a up & coming blogpost be sure to let me know! 

B x 

Fifteen Things I Learnt In Twenty Fifteen

2015 has been one of my best years yet. I feel I've really be able to become my own person in absolutely all aspects. I wanted to share with you fifteen things that I learnt & what I really put into practice in 2015.

1 // How people treat you is their karma but how you react is yours.

2 // If you're fortunate to have good health really appreciate it.

3 // For the most part happiness is a choice so choose it.

4 // Make your life an adventure.

5 // Surround yourself with loving, caring, understanding people.

6 // When in doubt, you can never go wrong with an a complete black outfit.

7 // Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.

8 // Comparison is the thief of joy. Embrace & love your flaws, they are what makes you interesting.

9 // You can never be to grateful, to smart, to fun. You're not too anything,you're perfect just the way you are.

10 // A cup of tea makes everything better.

11 // Be happy as you & don't change for anyone.

12 // It's perfectly ok to fall down as long as you get back up.

13 // Work hard & believe in yourself.

14 // Be gentle with other peoples feelings & while your at it be gentle with your own.

15 // It's quite simple, be a nice human being.

B x 

Twenty Fifteen I'll Never Forget You

2015 flew by & so I thought I'd take a walk down memory lane with you. 

JANUARY >> January was the first full month I spent in Nelson & it was a great opportunity to explore what Nelson had to offer. I had my bestfriend from Christchurch come & stay with me. On New Years Day we decided to spend the day at the beach along with  visiting the local animal park. It's definitely a New Years that I'll never forget. 

FEBRUARY >> In February I start my new school with my sister. We nervously caught the bus to school with a bunch of strangers & we started upon our journey together. 

MARCH >> March was when I really started to make friends & honestly I have some of the best friends that anyone could ever want & I feel so incredibly grateful to have meet them! There is a few people missing from the photo above but I love them all. 

APRIL >> April was a month of celebrations for those close to me. I has a couple of friends have birthdays & it was great to be able to celebrate with them but I also had the 70th of my Nan & her twin brother. It was great to be able to celebrate that with both of them as my Great Uncle Barry doesn't live in a area to close to us. In April I also celebrated the 100 Years of ANZAC, this time of the year will always hold a special place in our hearts for my family as my Pop was in the war. 

MAY >> My birthday month, whoooo! I got to celebrate my birthday with some very special & close family members & I had a great birthday! I was very spoilt & my family & friends made it a very special day. 

JUNE >>  June was also a month of celebrations. I celebrated one of my best friends, Sian's, birthday & a bunch of us girls went out for dinner which was so lovely & it was great to spend the time with them! I also traveled down to Christchurch to visit my sister for her birthday! This was not long after she had moved down to live with my Dad, Step Mum & Step Brother so it was great to see them all & to be able to celebrate her birthday at the same time. 

JULY >> In July I took another trip down to Christchurch & this time I took my Mum with me. I was able to catch up with family & friends that I wasn't able to last time so it was really good & definitely time well spent! 

AUGUST >> August I took a bit of a road trip with my Mum & a good friend of hers. I remember that the weather was really lovely & warm that day which was exciting because we knew that summer wasn't far away. 

SEPTEMBER >> It was my Mums birthday so we decided we'd travel to Auckland to see some close family! It was such a great, jam packed four days & I had the best time! We went up the Auckland Sky Tower, we did a bit of shopping, we travelled around exploring & then ended the four days with a BBQ & cake for Mums birthday. It was really great to be able to spend the quality time with them as it's not often we are able to see them. 

OCTOBER >> By the time October had rolled around, very quickly may I just add, the weather was really starting to warm up & it only made sense to make the most of those days. Cable Bay is one of my favourite places, it has a small beach & a beautiful small up hill track & you're able to sit at the top & admire the incredible view. 

NOVEMBER >> In November I had my sister to come & stay for a week which was amazing. I always love spending time with her as I don't get to see her very much. Also I celebrated my thirteen year friendship with my bestfriend. It was so exciting & although we couldn't be together in person we were on FaceTime having a wee celebration that way! 

DECEMBER >> What a crazy month December was. Not only was summer finally here but so was CHRISTMAS! It was such an incredible month with so much joy & happiness. I truly hope that you all had a fantastic festive season, whether it's something you celebrate or not. 

That's my year in a few picture & a couple of words. I honestly have had one of my best years yet & don't get me wrong I've mostly definitely had my down moment but I've also had some of my best moments & I feel that I've truly been able to find myself! 

I wish you all the very best for 2016 & lets see where this year takes us! 

B x