2017 Favourites

I can't believe it's time for me to sit down and write up my favourites for the year. 2017 has gone with the blink of an eye and that terrifies me but at the same time it's a blessing because 2017 as been one hell of a year. 

Because this is my last post for 2017 I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everybody that has continued to support me this year. I couldn't have gotten through 2017 without your support, love and kindness so thank you. 

MMAKEUP AND SKINCARE

Too Faced Waterproof Better Than Sex Mascara

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Revlon Highlight and Sculpt Palette

The Body Shop Matte Lip Liquids

Maybelline Matte Maker Powder

Mecca Diamond Dust Highlight; White Gold

St Ives Exfoliating Facial Scrubs

Wild Ferns Manuka Honey Intensive Refining Eye Cream

Simple To Kind Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil 

Glamglow Super Mad Clearing Treatment Mask

L'Oreal Detoxifying and Illuminating Mask

YOUTUBERS AND BLOGGERS

Zoe Sugg; @zoella 

Suzie; @hello_october

Alix; @icovetthee

Anna; @theannaedit

Lily; @lilypebbles

Kalyn Nicholson 

Meghan Rienks 

Desi Perkins

Shannon; @shaaanxo

Katy; @lustrelux

Megs; @wonderful_u

Shani Grimmond 

Michael Finch

Sharon Farrell

BOOKS AND FILMS 

The Hate U Give; Angie Thomas

Option B; Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant

Goodnight Stories For Rebel Girls; Francesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli

The Way I Used To Be; Amber Smith

Surrounded By Spirit; Kelvin Cruickshank

Baby Driver; Edgar Wright - 2017

Only The Brave; Joseph Kosinski - 2017

Captain Phillips; Paul Greengrass - 2013

Everest; Baltasar Kormākur - 2015

MUSIC AND PODCASTS

Ed Sheeran; Divide

Pink; Beautiful Trauma

Niall Horan; Flicker

Lily Pebbles and Anna Newton; At Home With . . .

Meghan Rienks; Don't Blame Me

Ingrid Nilsen and Cat Valdes; Ladies Who Lunch

Esteé Lalonde; The Heart Of It 

I've linked everything where I can so I hope that helps! Best wishes for 2018 and I'll see you next year! 

B x 

Summer Travel Makeup

Over Christmas I'll be spending time with friends and family in Christchurch. Naturally, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share with you what makeup I'll be taking and wearing while I'm away. 

I'll leave all products linked so you can easily find out more information. 

FACE

Chichi Super BB Cream

Maybelline Master Conceal

Maybelline Matte Maker Powder

Revlon Highlight and Sculpt Palette 

Revlon Blush: 007 Melon Drama

BROWS

Natio Brow Kit

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara

EYES

Too Faced Natural Mattes Eyeshadow Palette

Too Faced Waterproof Better Than Sex Mascara

LIPS

The Body Shop Liquid Lips in 032 Windsor Rose and 014 Sydney Amaryllis 

B x

Summer Skincare Line Up

I’m starting to wonder if I have more skincare products than I do makeup but none the less skincare is so important and I can’t stress that enough. I often get compliments on my skin and I’m often asked how I keep it looking so healthy. The answer is a regular morning and night skincare routine. 

In the summer my skin is definitely a combination of oily and dry. I tend to be more oily in my t-zone and drier on the outer the perimeter of my face. And to be honest I don’t really change products due to the change of my skin type, I kind of just roll with it. 

While I throughly enjoy all of the products I’ve mentioned below, I do recommend that you do a little more research into each product before purchasing them. Remember what works for me may not work for you and your skin, and vise versa. 

MAKEUP REMOVER

There are two kinds of makeup removing products I'm using at the moment. Face wipes are a standard product in my routine. I use them to remove the majority of my face makeup and then I'll go in with my Simple To Kind Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil to remove any eye makeup. Cleansing oils can be messy sometimes but I think they're the best way to remove your makeup. They help break down and remove makeup without having to pull and tug on your skin. But the thing I love most about the Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil is that it removes waterproof mascara with ease and leaves skin feeling super hydrated, which it suggests in it's name. To see a full review on the Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil click here.

CLEANSER

This will be no surprise to some of you but The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash is still a solid part of my routine. I swear by this stuff for keeping my skin clear of any breakouts and blemishes. I've used this product for years now and everytime I try something new I always find myself going back to The Body Shop Tea Tree Facial Wash. I believe I've mentioned it before but tea tree is great for your skin as it has antibacterial properties that will help keep blemishes at bay.

EXFOLIATOR

St Ives Pink Lemon and Mandarin Orange Scrub is my current exfoliator of choice. St Ives have a fantastic line of exfoliants and I've used a few of them in the past. I think that you're able to pick the intensity of the exfoliant is a great feature so that even those with more sensitive skin still have an option. St Ives exfoliants leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and fresh without being too drying. And I'll quickly mention that all their product smell incredible. 

TONER

Again, back to continuous favourite, The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner. Really lovely toner and because of the tea tree and it's antibacterial properties it's great for helping clear the skin. I will mention that if you're not too keen on the smell of tea tree then this product may not be for you. 

FACE MASKS

I have a couple of face masks I'm really loving using at the moment. Both along the say lines but different brands and different intensities. L'Oreal Pure Clay Detoxifying and Illuminating Mask is great for pulling out any gunk in your pores and just giving your face a really deep cleanse. It's also a great dupe for the Glamglow Super Mud Clearing Treatment Mask however it's definitely not as intense. The Glamglow face mask really makes my skin tingle once applied, its like I can feel it doing the cleansing of my pores. It also drys down a lot quicker meaning you wouldn't need it on your skin for as long as L'Oreal face mask. I alternate the use of both face masks, using the L'Oreal mask more often to help clear pores on a regular basis.

MOISTURISER

Again this shouldn't be a surprise to any of you but the Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream is the moisturiser I'm using at the moment and will be continuing to use this summer. There isn't really much left for me to say about it other than I love it and the glow it gives my skin.

EYE CREAM
I think I mentioned this eye cream in my winter skincare post, the Wild Ferns Manuka Honey Intensive Refining Eye Cream. It has a variety of oils in it which leave your under eyes bright, glow and hydrated. I've also done a full review on this eye cream so if you'd like to read that it'll be linked here. 

SPF
My SPF of choice this summer is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen Liquid Lotion SPF50+.  I'll always use SPF50+ on my face to ensure that it's really protected from the sun. I love that this sunscreen is a water light texture and gives a matte look on the skin which I think it perfect for under makeup. Also I really enjoy the fact that this product doesn't close pores. It gets a b ig thumbs up from me.

B x 

2018 Planning and Organisation

@kellybrito

You all know how seriously I take my planning and organisation. I've actually already know how I want to plan and organise my life in 2018 and I've gone one set further and already set it all up.  Some of you will think that's absolutely crazy but December is busy month as it is and I think it's great to already be thinking about, if not already know, how you want to plan in 2018. 

I'm very much a paper and pen girl but apart of that is also being digitally organised as well. So that for whatever reason I don't have my physical planner on me I can still know what I need to do, where I need to be and schedule other appointments if need be. 

For 2018 I'm going ton have three planners. Crazy I know but let me explain. My main planner is standard day to a page. This is where the majority of my planning and organising will take place. Everything from birthdays, events, appointments, to do lists and notes will go in here. 

 The next planner is a week on two pages. I've decided I'm going to use this one for journaling and gratitude. I really want to start journalling again even it is only small amounts daily. These kinds of planner and journal are really awesome to look back on and I think it'll make for some really good self care and creativity time. 

The final notebook I'm using in 2018 is my Bullet Journal. I won't be using it in the regular Bullet Journal way but what I'll be using it for is post planning for my website, goal setting, routine planning, gift ideas and all that good stuff. It's going to be something I can refer back to regardless the time of the year. 

Like I said earlier I adore planning and organisation. It's just one of those things that has to be in my life or otherwise everything is just a shambles. Let me know how you're choosing to plan for 2018, I'd love to know. 

B x 

Warm Weather Essentials

The fact that it's December doesn't just mean the festive season has begun but it also means that summer is officially here. I love the warmer weather but with the weather being warmer I tend to carry around a few more essentials with me on a daily basis opposed to the colder months. 

I've compiled a list of my ultimate essentials. Products that I need to get me through the warmest months of the year. These are items are what I try to have on me everyday regardless of what I'm doing. I feel like my summer holiday essentials would be ever so slightly different, but along the same lines. 

SPF 30+ Sunblock

Sunblock is so important in the warmer months. I can't stress that enough. I don't use anything under an SPF 30+ on my body and I don't use anything under an SPF50+ on my face. 

 Antiperspirant/Roll On Deodorant

My choice of brand when it comes to deodorant, both roll on and antiperspirant is Dove. I haven't used any other brand in a very long time. All their scents are beautiful, fresh and last long on the skin. Carrying some kind of deodorant around with me in the warmer months means that I don't have to be paranoid that I stink. 

Lipbalm

A lip balm with some kind of SPF in it is great in the warmer months because sunburnt lips are the worst. I am yet to find any great lip balms with SPF so let me know if you have any recommendations but for the mean time I've just been applying my SPF50+ face sunblock to my lips and it's working for the time being. 

Handcream

I always carry around hand cream with me regardless of the season but it the warm months I think it's quite nice to have something light and moisturising. I have the worst dry skin on my hands so this is definitely an essential for me. 

Waterproof Mascara

Waterproof mascara is a must for me in the warmer months. My favourite at the moment is the Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara. It's super long wearing and looking gorgeous on the lashes. It doesn't transfer onto your skin throughout the day either which I think is the reason I love the product so much. 

Sunglasses

I've talked about protecting your skin in the warmer months but it is also so important to protect your eyes as well. Invest in some decent sunglasses and wear them!

Water Bottle

I always try to carry a water bottle around with me regardless of the season. It's so important to stay hydrated especially in the warmer months when it becomes easier to get dehydrated. 

B x 

2017 Vlogmas Favourites

@morezoella - Vlogmas Day 4

The festive season is my favourite time of the year. I adore seeing others get into the Christmas spirit and people enjoying themselves after what can be what feels like a really long year.  Another part of festive season that I have come to love over the past few years is Vlogmas. For those of you who don't know what Vlogmas is, it's a pretty simple concept. It is where a YouTuber will vlog from the first of December right up until the 24 of December so you get to see all the festive bits and pieces they get up to. Seeing the contrast between what a summer and winter Christmas is like is also pretty awesome. 

I'm not watching no where near as many peoples Vlogamas' this year but regardless I thought I'd share those that I am watching as there might be some YouTubers you haven't heard of before or maybe you're looking for some new content to watch. 

Zoe Sugg - @morezoella

Suzie - @hello_october

Alix - @icovetthee

Megs - @wonderful_u

Sophie - @sophdoesvlogs

B x 

Roadtrips and Tattoos

@trenthaaland

Happy Sunday you lovely bunch! It’s December! But where the heck did November go?! I feel like I blinked and it was over, it’s nuts! And it's officially summer! It feels so good to be sitting back at my computer and to be writing again. November was a bit of an off month for me in regards to my website. I uploaded a total of six posts and there was no real order to when they were scheduled for. 

I was in Christchurch for the entirety of November with a trip back home for an hospital appointment mid month. It’s safe to say November was a super busy month and while I had content planned, I just didn’t have the down time I wished I’d have to write. I managed to get a few posts up and those, I hope you enjoyed. 

I arrived home on the 30 of November which was fantastic. I was so excited to be back home and have my own bed. I then travelled to Blenheim for my Grandparents burial which of course was super tough but was something I was glad we could do as a family. I stayed two nights in Blenheim, spent time with my family that’d travelled from Christchurch but I also may have got myself a wee addiction. I got my first tattoo! If you’re following me on Instagram then you’ve probably already seen it but it was just a wee dedication to my Nan and Pop. 

So I’ve spent my first full week home and it feels great! I’ve loved being back in my own bed, being able to cuddle my fur babies and get back into some kind of routine.

It’s roughly twelve  days before I’m back in Christchurch for Christmas and I’m so happy that I’ll be spending it with my Mum’s side of the family! Christmas is my favourite time of the year and while this year is the first year without my Nan and Pop around, we as a family are determined to keep there memory alive even more so on a day like Christmas Day.

For posts this month I’ve decided I’ll be uploading twice a week, Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, rather than the alternative three days a week which will come back into play on the 01 January. This is just because I want to slowly work my way back into the swing of things but also because I don't want to overcommit myself in already a crazy busy month.

I’m happy to be back writing and I can’t wait to get back into the full swing of things! 

B x

Everyday Spring Makeup

@carolineveronez

I can't wait for it to be officially summer and with spring drawing to an end I thought why not share the products I've been reaching for over the last three months. As the weather starts to get warmer I prefer to reach for more natural and lighter products. I think because my skin has cleared up a lot recently it's meant that I can really appreciate and enjoy the natural appearance of my skin. 

Maybelline Baby Skin Insta Pore Eraser

I haven't really tried a huge variety of primers but so far it does what is says it's meant to. It gives the skin a smoother looking appearance however I'm not convinced it's the best pore erasing primer. But for the mean time, I'm really liking it. 

Chichi Super BB Cream in Light

100 percent my favourite face product in the warmer months. It's light on the skin yet has a beautiful, natural coverage. It leaves skin looking fresh and healthy which is just what you want. Out of all the BB cream's I've tried it's definitely my favourite. 

Maybelline Matte Setting Powder

The Maybelline Matte Setting Powder is fairly new to my collection and so far I'm really enjoying using it. It does a fantastic job at setting everything in place and mattifying any oily patches.

Revlon Sculpt and Highlight Kit

My favourite contour and highlighting kit at the moment is hands down my this one from Revlon. There's not really much to say other than the shades are gorgeous, blend seamlessly and look natural on the skin. I adore this kit. 

Mecca Max Diamond Dust Highlighter in White Gold

I believe I mentioned this in a recent post, linked here, and it's still a fairly new product in my collection. But that being said it's my favourite highlighter at the moment. Not only is it affordable but it's fantastic quality. It's so natural on the skin and leaves you looking like a gorgeous glowing goddess. 

Natio Brow Kit

I know I'm in need so some new eye brow products but my Natio Brow Kit treats me so well. I'll definitely look into trying some new products in the New Year! 

Maybelline Brow Gel in Dark Brown 

Just my usual favourite brow gel.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

Surprise, another new product to my collection but it's already a holy grail. I'll forever buy this mascara. I didn't really understand the hype until I tired it myself and I get it now. It's incredible. I adore the waterproof formula for the summer and especially because it doesn't smudge under my eyes which all other mascaras seemed to do. 

Mecca Max Liquid Lip in Birthday Suit

Again, a new product to my collection but so far I'm loving it! I adore the formula of these liquid lipsticks and the shades are stunning. I can't wait to get my hands on some of the other shades. 

B x

Product Review; Simple Skincare Hydrating Cleansing Oil

Simple Skincare has produced some of my favourite skincare products to date. There products are suitable for all skin types because Simple believe that what they leave out is just as important as what they put into their products. Simple chooses to say no to any harsh chemicals, artificial perfumes and colours that may upset your skin. Instead they use there most pure, skin loving ingredients to ensure that their products to kind to all skin types but more specifically sensitive skin types. 

Waterproof is my preferred formula when it comes to mascara. It helps prevent any smudging throughout the day which seems to happen when I use anything other than waterproof formulas. The downfall to waterproof mascaras is that it's always a struggle to get off and the end of the day. 

Simple Skincare Hydrating Cleansing Oil has saved my eyelashes. Not only does it remove face makeup, but it also eye makeup like a breeze. No pulling or tugging at the skin with instantly hydrated and cleansed skin. It is so quick and easy to use, yet so effective. This cleansing oil is 100% pure grapeseed oil infused with skin-loving ingredients such as Vitamin A and E. 

Highly recommend the Simple Skincare Hydrating Cleansing Oil, in fact I recommend any of there products. I love that they are chemical free and so gentle on the skin. 

B x 

Current Favourite Reads and Book Recommendations

The Way To Use To Be, Amber Smith

I enjoyed this book but there were parts of the story line I didn’t agree with. I wrote a full review which I’ll leave linked here if you’re interested in checking it out. 

How To Lose Weight and Get Fit The Paleo Way, Elora Harrè

“The incredible story of one blogger’s massive weight loss journey.” 

“Elora Harrè, better known for her popular blog, The Shrinking Viloet, have been overweight almost all her entire life. For many of her teenage years, the perfect ‘bikini body’ was simply a dream. Armed with determination and a new attitude, Elora lost half her bodyweight and jumped into a world of fitness and nutritious food. Be inspired by her journey and enjoy these healthy, delicious and easy to follow paleo recipes handpicked to help you on your own path to a healthier and happier lifestyle.”

How To Be Happy Or At Least Less Sad, A Creative Workbook, Lee Crutchley

“A different kind of self-help book. This book cannot fix you, and it cannot make you happy. The good news is that no other book on this self can either, but you already know that. Because you know, deep down, that no self-help book can make you happy. Just like you know, deep down, that you can. Maybe you haven’t discovered that yet, or maybe you have forgotten but you know more than you think about your own happiness. This creative and practical book will help you draw, write, discover and remember those things that make you feel happy, or at least less sad.” 

“This book made me nervous when I first scanned through it because I knew it would work! It’s an explicit map that leads to a place where you’re going to feel measurably better, and better equipped to face life’s vicissitudes.” - Rob Delaney; Comedian

“There’s a huge amount of wisdom in this pages and there will be even more when you’ve finished with it.”

How To Bullet Plan, Rachel Wilkerson Miller

If you’re interested in Bullet Journalling or wanting to know more about planning in the form of a Bullet Journal I highly recommend checking it out. It’ll give you tips on where to start and a bunch of ideas. Keep a look out for a full review of this book in the near future. 

Miss FQ Magazine

For millennials, by millennial. 

“With Miss FQ, discover the latest news and trends in fashion and beauty, breaking celebrity news stories, and interviews with Kiwi social media influencers.” 

Frankie Magazine

A little bit of everything, bi-monthly, including design, art, photography, travel, music, craft, home, life and more. 

Nadia Magazine

Nadia is a bi-monthly magazine where Nadia Lim shares what’s inspiring her when it comes to food, family and life. 

Mindfood Magazine

Mindfood has been created to bring you intelligent, inspirational ideas and information. A completely integrated concept, Mindfood the magazine brings you in depth features on society, wellness, environment, culture, travel and food.”

B x 

New In My Beauty Rotation

I'm always changing up and trying new beauty products. I enjoy trying new things and seeing how they work for my complexion. I don't always love everything I try but that's natural and trying out new things is just apart of the fun. 

These five products have been in my beauty routine for about two months now and I'm thoroughly enjoying them. Some are brands I haven't tried before and other brands have been long time favourites. 

Maybelline Master Fix Wear Boosting Setting Spray

I've never really used setting sprays before so I can't compare this product to anything but I'm really enjoying it so far. It's a light mist and helps to settle any lose powders on your face. I've noticed it also helps reduce any fading. It dries extremely quickly on the face and doesn't leave you looking shiny. I think this product will be perfect for anyone starting out with setting sprays and trying to get an idea for what they like. 

Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser

While my pores have never bothered me I have to admit that they are larger around my nose. I've never really used primers before, I guess I have just never felt the need for it but I thought I'd try something different. This primer does a wonderful job at blurring any imperfections especially pores. It looks gorgeous under makeup but also can be worn on its own. I know there are a variety of primers on the market for minimising the appearance of pores but I think this is a good start for anyone looking to try primers for the first time.  

Revlon Sculp and Highlight Contour Kit

Hands down my new favourite contour kit. I'd been looking at getting it for a long time and after my sister tried it and loved it, I  knew I needed to get my hands on it. It's blends gorgeously and the shades look gorgeous on the skin. I have the one for a lighter skin tone but I know they also have one for darker skin tones. I just can't rave about this product enough. 

Mecca Max Skin Halo in Diamond Dust

Mecca Max was one of those brands that I hadn't heard much about but when I tried it I was pleasantly surprised. I'm definitely looking forward to trying some more of there products but in the mean time I'm really loving their Skin Halo in Diamond Dust. It's a beautiful yet natural looking highlight. It's shimmery but not glittery and I think that's what I love about it most. 

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matter Bronzer

After hearing friends rave about it and have trying friends every now and then, I knew I needed together my hands on it. It's such a gorgeous bronzer. It's bendable, buildable and let's not forget about the incredible chocolate scent it has. It's going to be a staple in my collection for a long time yet. 

B x

Empties and Declutter

I have to be one of the worst when it comes to accumulating beauty and skincare products. I thought it was time I sort through a bunch of stuff and get rid of what I don't want anymore. There's definitely something super satisfying about finishing a product and I think that's how you can tell if someone really loved the product or not. 

Dove Original Anti Perspirant Deodorant 

Dove is one of my favourite brands when it comes to deodorants whether that be roll on or anti-perspirant. All their scents are gorgeous but the original will always be my favourite. I keep going back to this product because it never fails me.

Nivea Hydro Care and Pure and Natural Milk and Honey Lip Balm

You'll never find me without a Nivea lip balm. Nivea lip balms are some of the best lip balms I've ever tried and I've used them for years. The Hydro Care and Pure Natural Milk and Honey are my two favourites but I think depending on what you're looking for you'll find it within a Nivea lip balm. My lips stay hydrated for a generous amount of time and help prevent them from drying out to fast in the warm weather. 

Palmolive Aromatherapy Anti-Stress Shower Gel

The scent of this shower gel is absolutely incredible. I'd definitely re-purchase it just for the scent. But other than the scent, it's a super moisturising body wash and does leaving your skin feeling tight and striped of all moisture. Palmolive is a great shower gel range. 

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara 

I've been using this mascara for the longest time ever. It's a mascara I've always re-purchased at some point and it hasn't failed me this time either. I really like the combination of the formula and the brush together but I also enjoy the fact that it doesn't dry out to quick which some mascaras can do. I'd really like for them to come out with a waterproof formula, I'd 100 percent be down for trying it if they did. I've already repurchased and am using another which is a good indication to you all how much I enjoy using it. 

Nivea Rich Nourishing Intensive Care Moisturiser with Almond Oil

This is definitely far from my favourite moisturiser, purely because it's very thick and tacky. Generally I do love Nivea moisturisers but really not a big fan of this particular one. 

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub

I did throughly enjoy using this Neutrogena exfoliating scrub, I prefer other products more. I would recommend this product if you're looking for something slightly more inexpensive but still reasonably effective.  

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Mini Body Butter and Full Size Papaya Body Butter

The Body Shop body butter are some of my favourite moisturisers. They're a butter rather than a lotion so they are slightly thicker in regards to consistency but not tacky at all. Once applied to the body they're gorgeous. The Body Shop have a huge range of scents you can choose from and a few different sizes as well. The mini is the perfect size for your handbag. 

B x

Book Review: The Way I Use To Be by Amber Smith

@christinhume

“Eden was always good at being good. Starting High School didn’t change who she was. But the night her brothers best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes. What was once simple is now complex. What Eden once loved, who she once loved, she now hates. What she thought to be true are now lies. Nothing makes sense anymore and she knows she’s supposed to tell someone what happened but she can’t. So she buries it instead. And she buries the way she use to be.”

"The book realistically looks at the last effects of trauma on life, love and relationships."

"The Way I Used To Be is an intensely gripping and raw look at secrets, silence, speaking out and survival in the aftermath of sexual assault."

"Definitely a must have for every collection of books that serves teens." 

The Way I Use To Be written by Amber Smith is a fantastic read and one I think everyone could benefit from. I think it's a much needed look into what dealing with sexual assault can be like for someone. I enjoyed the characters Smith created in the novel, some more than others, and I wonder why Smith went with the chosen plot line opposed to something different. Overall, I definitely think it's a great read. Although sexual assault is so awful, it does give me a sense of relief that issues such as this are now being written about, non-fiction or otherwise. 

B x

Take A Self Care Date

@larisabirta

Routines always change and I don't think it's a bad thing. It shows that we're learning and growing in life. Self care is a big part of my life and I try and implement moments, if not full days, of self care daily. I often talk about how important I think self care is and why I think we should all be implementing more time for ourselves into our day to day life. 

This post is going to be all about my current daily self care routine. So this is what a 'Self Care Date' would look like for me if I had an available day to myself. 

TIDY

I start with a complete tidy of my house. Having a tidy home and having any home jobs completed means I can relax the rest of the day knowing that my house is clean and tidy. 

NATURE

Next I'll get outside and what I do outside varies. Sometimes I'll go for a light walk and get some fresh air, other times I'll do a full workout. If my body is really not feeling up to any exercise I'll try to get outside and just read or mediate. Fresh air is incredibly when it comes to how you're feeling and sometimes it's all we need to feel grounded again. 

CLEAR OUT

So I've done the cleaning and tidying up part but now it's time for me to actually clear out any junk and clutter I might have going on. So I might have a good clear out of my desk, my wardrobe or cupboards and throw away anything I don't need or use anymore. Clearing shit out always makes me feel good!

BEAUTY

This is the part I look forward to the most. I'll run a bubble bath, put on a face mask and catch up on some YouTube. I'll usually also take this time to exfoliate my body and face, shave, wash my hair and all that feel good stuff. 

B x 

October 2017: Roundup, Highlights + Favourites

One month closer to Summer and one month closer to Christmas, whoo! October has gone by in a absolute flash. I really shouldn't be so surprised but because every month is same, but it really does feel like it should still should mid 2017. 

October has been a busy yet exciting month. I've officially finished my studies for the year which is the best thing ever. Spare time has been spent visiting family which has been really refreshing and motivating. I also spent a night in Okiwi Bay in the Marlborough Sounds with an Aunty and Uncle I haven't seen in forever, it was so amazing to catch up with them. 

I took a week or so off this month from posting to my website because I was so busy with my studies but I'm now back and I can't wait to properly get back into the swing of things with my site. 

For the month of November I'm going to be based in Christchurch for work which is so exciting. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and the experience I'll gain. It'll also mean Im able to spend a good chunk of time with my Christchurch family and friends. I'll still be posting to my website on normals days at the same time of 630PM but make sure you're following @bonnieellenxo on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for regular updates. 

Towbow Dual Brush Pens

I have a slight obsession with stationery but for the longest time I've wanted to teach myself Calligraphy and just different styles of lettering. Everybody raved about Tombows Dual Brush Pens and how beautiful they were to write with, so I got some, well actually I got the whole set, oops. While I'm still getting to the calligraphy side of things, I also really enjoy using them in my planners. The colour variety is amazing and there are some truely gorgeous shades. 

Natural Pawpaw Lipbalm by Chapstick

I first brought this lip balm when I had extremely chapped and wind burnt lips last summer. I was really struggling to find anything that kept my lips hydrated while keeping the product as natural as possible to avoid any extra irritation. But then I found this gorgeous natural pawpaw lip balm and it changed the whole game. It kept my lips hydrated for ages while the natural oils and shea butter helped heel any chaps and wind burn. I've been using it again a lot recently and I think it's safe to say it's going to my a staple product this summer. 

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer

Well after hearing everyone rave about it, and then trying it at a friends I decided I'd just get it for myself. It's definitely one of the best and I'm really enjoying putting it on my face. 

Mecca Max Skin Halo Highlighter; Diamond Dust; White Gold

I'm a super big fan of highlight products in general, but this Skin Halo in Diamond Dust by Mecca Max is probably one of my most used highlighters in my collection at the moment. It's affordable and so gorgeous on the skin! 

Esteè Lalonde's Podcast; The Heart Of It

One of my fave YouTubers has just gone out and created her very own Podcast. Don't ask me how long I've being watching Esteè on YouTube because I honestly couldn't tell you but when she announced that she was bring out a Podcast I was beyond excited. The Heart Of It is my current favourite Podcast to listen to and it covers some of the best topics. If you enjoy listening to Podcasts, I highly recommend The Heart Of It by Esteè Lalonde. And while you're there, check out her Instagram, I'm a big fan of that too! 

B x

What's Making Me Happy Right Now 2.0

@beccatapert

'm all about positivity and sharing it with those around us, whether that be on social media or in person. Last month I wrote up a post about the things that we're making me happy in the present time. I really enjoyed the write up process of it and it really was awesome to be able to see some of the positive things in my life, at that current time, in one post. This kind of post is something I want to share more often on my website, maybe every few months, as a way of sharing around some positivity, inspiration and just overall happy thoughts. 

SUNSHINE

We are nearing the end of October now which is a clear indication for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere that summer is on its way. There have been a coupe of really warm days which has me super excited for the arrival of summer. 

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

My friends and family are continually contributing towards my happiness. I probably don't acknowledge it enough but I'm so incredibly grateful to have such supportive friends and family. I'm really looking forward to Christmas and New Year period when we're all going to be together. 

TIME OFF

Over the past couple of months I've been really good at taking time off. Taking time away from working has meant that I'm able to look after myself a lot better and I've been able to just do things for me. I know that it's coming up to a super busy period in the year so fingers crossed I can keep up the occasional day off here and there. 

CONTENT CREATORS

I want to take this opportunity to share some of the content and their creators, that have had a positive influence in my life recently. I'll leave links to their Instagram below but they also all have incredible YouTube channels too. Check 'em out and let me know what you think. 

Megs: @wonderful_u

Katheleen Lights: @kathleenlights

Meghan Rienks: @meghanrienks

Kalyn Nicholson: @kalynnicholson13

Shannon Harris: @shaaanxo

B x

Grief: Nine Months Later

Here I am talking about grief again but this time nine months later. Nine months ago it felt like grief had taken over my life. Nine months later, I've had the chance to reflect on how grief effected my life back then compared to how it effects my life now, along with how I choose to deal with it. 

That immediate grief was a weird emotion for me to feel because not only had I never lost a loved one before, let alone losing two loved ones within less than a month, but also because I didn't know what to expect. I had no control over it and I was so use to actively choosing to be happy and choosing how I felt towards a variety of different situations in my life, I didn't really know what had hit me. I think with grief, you've got to allow yourself to feel it. Acknowledge it. Don't try and swept in under the rug. It's important to remember that we all react to grief in whatever way feels right to us. I had never experienced this level of grief before so I was unsure on how I would react. It was a big learning experience. I found it odd that while I would cry, I would also find moments to laugh. What brought a smile to my face through the moments of despair, were all our precious memories together. I say my reaction to grief was weird one because I'm not one to show a lot of emotion. I'm normally the one that's holds it together for everyone else, comforts others and then when I'm home or alone, that's when I'll  lose my shit. Grief brought out things in me that I never would've done otherwise. Talking in public, I avoid it at all costs and you'd be lucky to see my cry, ever. Well I spoke at both services, not alone but with cousins and you probably couldn't understand a word I was saying due to the tears. 

Nine months later, it still hurts. It hurts like it was yesterday. I can’t count on two hands the number of people that have told me it gets easier. Maybe they were  attempted words of comfort, I’m not sure but one thing I am sure of is that it doesn’t get easier. Grief becomes permanent part of your life and it never goes away, instead you learn to deal with it, you learn to cope. You become resilient to it. It becomes a part of your everyday life and along the way you find ways to cope. 

There is no right way to deal with grief, everybody is different but I think it’s important to stay true to who you are. It might take awhile but find ways that will help you cope and you'll find people who you feel comfortable talking to. I think it’s important when you lose someone special to never stop talking about them, never stop sharing photos and never sharing memories because they moment you stop doing that, is the moment they’re really gone. 

B x

Why Do I Keep Trying To Fit In?

@beccatapert

There is so much tragedy in our world at the moment and I feel like we just can’t get away from it. With what’s happening in Puerto Rico at the moment after Hurricane Maria to the mass shooting in Las Vegas, it’s never ending. 

It just makes me so incredibly sad and frustrated to know that this is happening in our world and people are suffering because of it. 

Natural disasters aren’t something we have any control over. Peoples lives, homes and belongings, it all can be gone within seconds and I can’t even begin to imagine how that feels to not only have lost everything you’ve ever known but then to have to start to rebuild a life after such devastation. 

And don’t even get me started on the fact that a human can pick up a weapon and ends lives within seconds, it’ll never settle well with me. 

I’ve been thinking about this post for a while now, what I’d talk about and how I’d address how I’m feeling. After the past weeks worth of tragedies I’ve decided to take a different approach. At the end of April, beginning of May I wrote a blogpost titled, ‘Being Branded The Boring One’, which I’ll leave linked but I talked about how I’ve been labelled ‘boring’ because I’m nineteen I don’t go out every weekend, choose get absolutely intoxicated or particularly enjoy going out to bars and night clubs. 

It’s not that I don’t like alcohol or drinking because I do have a few drinks every now and then. And it’s not that I have anything against bars and night clubs, it simply comes down to purely not enjoying myself while I’m there yet I still find myself being pressured, not by others but myself to go out and enjoy those experiences that apparently all teenagers and young adults are meant to have. It needs to stop, the pressure I put on myself to fit in and be like everyone else is ridiculous. 

Life is way to short to be doing shit that doesn’t bring you joy and happiness. Look at our world and the tragedies that occur daily. It’s disgusting and not okay. Nobody should have to experience and know what it’s like to live in constant fear. While I’m fortunate to live in a pretty safe country, tomorrow still isn’t guaranteed. 

My message to you is, be authentic, be grateful, be loving and be happy. Life is to short not to be. I wake up each day thankful that I’m still breathing because I know someone out there didn’t. 

My love, thoughts and prayers go out to everyone and anyone in this world who needs it right now. 

B x