Lifestyle

Pamper Evening Routine with New Products – First Impressions + Review

Beauty, Lifestyle

A pamper night is always something I try to do when I can, a little TLC always makes me feel better, more confident and happy. But squeezing them into our busy lives can be so so difficult. Recently I decided to set a side a few hours of my evening to try out some new facemasks, skin products, bath & shower products, and just relaxxxxx. I’m going to share with you guys what I do for a relaxing pamper night in and the products I’m using this time round.

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Run a bath

First job is to get the bath going. A bath for me is relaxing, some nice peaceful time to your self, where you can choose to do whatever you want. In my bath I started with a little bit of just ordinary bubble bath to get it started then I added a bath bomb from Lush that I had left over from xmas. Quite a sweet scent, but not too overpowering. It made the bath and bright pink colour, which I don’t really mind and no glitter or anything like that. Bath bombs are one of those things for me that I never get round to buying, they are lovely as a gift from someone but I am never fussed about buying them on my own accord. So having one is quite a treat actually and I really enjoyed this one.

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Light candles

Candles are an essential for being able to relax! At the moment I’m burning a Nicky Clarke candle, again, I got this as a gift. It is such a nice scent and so powerful but I love that in a candle. For me most of the time I buy a candle it claims to have an amazing full scent but it never gives off anything. But this one is fab, fills the whole room almost instantly of a sweet orangey, cotton smell.

Listen to something

I enjoy listening to podcasts in the bath. I’ve just started a new series called ‘They walk among us’. It’s a British real life crime podcast which I know doesn’t seem like the most settling of categories for some people, but I find it really interesting and completely takes my focus away, so I can properly zone out and listen. I’m really enjoying it. I’ve only listened to a few episodes but they are all pretty gripping, I just know I’ll end up binge listening at some point. If you like crime/murderer/serial killer/ type podcasts you should check it out!

While in the bath I decided to use one of my recent birch box gifts, Rituals harmonising and foaming shower gel smells amazing so I couldn’t wait to try. When I first tried using it, I don’t know if mine is a little broken, but I found it so hard to squeeze out and when I did it, it kind of went everywhere. That bummed me out a bit but nevertheless I kept an open mind, albeit not for long. As soon as I started rubbing it between my hands I couldn’t help but feel such an alikeness to shaving foam…like identical textures. Not sure how I feel about that in all honesty. It didn’t feel right. Still smells great but the consistency was a massive no-no for me.

Moisturize

After my bath, once I feel full relaxed, all nice and warm and ready to get out, one of the first things I do is MOISTURIZE. Having a bath dehydrates my skin a lot as I like my baths quite hot, so as soon as I get out I like to get some moisturizer on. At the moment I’m using the Victoria Secret Ultra Moisturizing Body and Hand Cream in Aqua Kiss. I’ve had this in my draw for a while but have always just used it for my hands. I thought it was quite perfumed for my body but I wanted to give it a go anyhow. I was pleasantly surprised, it absorbed really nicely into my skin, and left it feeling smooth, soft and firm. I’d love to know if they have more scents of this, as I love the Victoria Secret Body Mist in Pure Seduction if they had that in a lotion I would be all over it!

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Wash face and do a face mask

Next, what I like to do is give my face a quick wash, as normally I’m a little sweaty from the bath, and it is just nice to freshen up. I wanted to try out the Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash. I have combination skin, but recently it’s been a tad on the dry side as the weather has been so so cold and frosty that it has completely dried my skin. So I thought what a perfect opportunity to try out this face wash that claims to be for dehydrated dry skin. It didn’t have a scent (which none of Simple’s stuff does) which I’ve always loved, I’m not a fan of very perfumed products on my face. It did make my face feel very fresh and moisturized just next time I use it, I think I will use some sort of exfoliater with it, just to get rid of any dry skin I did have. For me, I like using a smooth face wash with some sort of face brush.

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After my face is lovely and clean, I will apply a facemask. Sticking with the moisture theme, I opted for the Garnier Skin Active Moisture Bomb Tissue Mask. I’ve heard so many people talk about these so my expectations were high. Getting it out of the packaging was a little messy (although I am pretty messy at anything I do), but that didn’t bother me, I quickly tried to assemble it onto my face, covering as much of the skin as I could with the highly saturated wet tissue mask. It felt sooooo  nice and cooling, which I loved. I could’ve left it on for a lot longer than the recommended time, it was that relaxing. When I removed it I rubbed the left over oils into my skin, leaving it lovely and soft. So even though the first stage was a little messy and slippery, I would say it’s worth it. Also just a side note, they are perfect for travelling!

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Extras-

Comfy clothes

After 15 mins when the facemask had finished doing its work, I will find the comfiest clothes I own, this includes a pair of Primark lounge pants, they are so so soft, I bought them after I heard BusyBeeCarys talk about them on her Youtube channel on one of her Primark hauls I think. I’m so glad I got them. Followed by a slouchy t-shirt, dressing gown and slippers (very old lady like I know).

Make a hot cosy drink

Make a lovely hot drink to have in bed, I would usually opt for tea but at the moment I’ve been loving hot lemon, so refreshing and gets rid of bloating.

Watch your favourite guilty pleasure tv show

Put on one of your favourite shows that you known you shouldn’t love…but do! I always find that is so much more chill, as you can just zone out and not have to concentrate very hard.

Organise

If you like to be OCD organised like me, then I find it relaxing to write a list of everything I’m going to do the next day in my diary, so when I get up I know just to get on with my day and not waste any time.

Relax- This is obviously the most important step, kick back, relax and don’t worry!

Thanks for reading, I hope to found this helpful in one way or another. Please give it a like or comment below!

 

Where I live : BEST BARS

Lifestyle

Hello! I really want to start doing posts about where I live, with the best hotspots for drinks, restaurants, hidden gems and whether the tourist attractions are worth it. I live in York, a major tourist destination in the North, so I thought it would be interesting to share what I think as I’ve lived here my whole life – basically is it all it seems. My first segment of this I’m going to stick it what I know – Best Bars/Pubs. I’ve worked in pubs since I turned 18, so it’s always been an interest of mine trying to find the best bars/pubs in my area. York has well over 200 pubs alone so I’ve never been without choice. I’m going to share with you guys my favourite bars in York and why I love them.

Sotano’s 

I’ll start with one of my all time favourites, it is quiet a hidden gem in my eyes. It’s pretty tucked away and I had walked past it many many times before I even knew it was there. It is advertised as a charcuterie and bar. I’ve never had food there in actual fact but it still wins my top spot on my list for the gin selection, atmosphere, events and decor alone. They serve over 27 gins and 60 different beers.  It has such a lively yet laid back atmosphere, situated in a basement style cellar, with pine wood walls and low ceilings- it’s just a really nice place to relax. If you love gin you have to try this place, not only is their selection top notch, the gin menu is so informative and helpful in advising you, you just know you’ll get a drink you love. The food is Spanish based with a Northern twist. It is the perfect place for a first date (aka where I had mine with my boyfriend), it’s so cosy and comfortable and on Tuesday’s they have Live Music which is always fantastic.

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Photo Credit: TripAdvisor

Price Point – ££-£££                                                                                                                                Address – 1 Little Stonegate, York, YO1 8AX                                                                                Contact- 01904 620230

Evil Eye Lounge

This place is definitely more of a cocktail bar with an edgy vibe. I first discovered this place on one of my first night outs in York (of when I was of legal age of course) and it immediately became a favourite. It is such a different place, with a funky colourful interior, beds upstairs to lounge on and a graffiti style inspired beer garden. A huge selection of cocktails with a wall of spirits behind the bar, you know you can find something different and creative (and sometimes lethal). With drinks prices ranging from your standard £3 for a beer, up to £8 for a fancy cocktail it’s easy to find something in your price range. For me this is the kind of place you start on a night- have a few nice drinks before moving on to somewhere maybe a little cheaper. If you are ever in York visiting, even just for the day, I would highly recommend popping in. They also do lovely coffees and awesome food- win win!

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Photo Credit: quirkyplaces.com

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Photo Credit:bestofengland

Price Point- £££                                                                                                                                      Address- 42 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AS                                                                                            Contact- 01904 640002

House of Trembling Madness

This place has more of a historic feel behind it, very medieval and rustic looking. On the ground floor, it has an alcohol tuck shop if you would, a huge choice of bottled beers from all over and the branded glasses to accommodate for sale. Along with all over types of bits and bobs for your drinking needs. When you venture downstairs there is a wall of spirits for purchase, a massive range of all types of liquor, it is such a collection, I always find it so interesting just to have a browse and discover new gins. After that, on the top floor is where you find the ‘Medieval drinking hall’. High ceilings with huge wooden beams, with a wall covered with animal taxidermy heads. It has a history dating back to 1180ad. It’s a very unique place and if you like history-this is your place. A must see.

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Photo Credit: tremblingmadness.co.uk

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Photo Credit: yorkmix.com

Price Point- ££-£££                                                                                                                                Address- 48 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AS                                                                                            Contact- 01904 640009

(As you’ve probably realised all of these places are very close together, basically on the same street, it is just a coincidence. But it is one of the best streets to see so many interesting different places all in one go, but nevertheless for variety here are some on the other side of town. Still great places but if quirky isn’t you’re thing then these might appeal to you a little more).

The Habit

This place has the best rooftop bar, if you are ever in York on a sunny day (good luck with that), this place is perfect, wall-to-wall sunshine with amazing views of York Minister. It’s worth a visit for that alone to be honest. Plenty of choice in terms of drinks, food and entertainment with live music being performed regular. It’s the perfect cosy cafe bar, it’s quite tucked away and wouldn’t maybe think from the outside it would be so welcoming inside but I find myself repeatedly going back- it really has become a ‘habit’ (I’m sorry that was bad), it actual fact the word ‘habit’ in this sense means the name of the building outlining the Minister that used to put up travelling monks. There is plenty of personality with the graffiti wall upstairs. Basically anything from breakfast in the morning, to a historic structure to live music in the evening…what’s not to like?

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Photo Credit: thedailytouch

Price Point- £-££                                                                                                                                    Address- 40 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LF                                                                                    Contact- 01904 611072

The Attic Gallery Coffee Bar

I discovered this place after a recommendation from my cousin, she told me ‘we had to try it, it is the cutest!’. We decided to go on a date night as we always end up going to the same places so we wanted to try something new. It’s located at the top of a 3 story building, above their joining coffee shop called ‘Harlequin’. I’m so glad she told us about it, for one it would be impossible to find, so tucked away. And 2, it was so up our street, a lovely cosy, arty bar. The people there are so lovely and welcoming and have a real passion for artisan gin, so discovering a delicious concoction is easy. If you are more of a coffee person, they also have the finest coffee! A real hidden gem. A must see quick venue supporting local artists.

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Photo Credit: The Telegraph

Price Point- ££-£££                                                                                                                                 Address- 2 Kings Square, York, YO1 8BH                                                                                           Contact- 01904 630631

I hope you enjoyed this more informative style post guys about where I live. I’d love to know if you wanted to see similar posts like ‘Best Eats’ ‘Best Bits’ and stuff like that. I really like doing posts like, it makes me realise how lucky I am to live where I do.

Please give it a like or a comment – share the love!

Thanks for reading x

 

 

Reality Check

Lifestyle

‘ I wrote this in on Thursday when I landed back in the UK but I forgot to post it’

I’ve got a completely spontaneous, quite a ramble of a post today. I am currently writing this on my iPad Notes in the car on my way back from Gatwick up to Yorkshire listening to relentless Christmas bargains and cheesy adverts on the radio. I’ve had like a mini epiphany (if that is the right word?) and I just wanted to write down what I was feeling. I’ve been away in the Caribbean for 4 months, I’ve seen a few different islands and met such a variety of people living in these third world countries. And you know when people say ‘travel broadens the mind’, it is so so true! I feel like coming back to this consuming nation, sometimes you forget what really is important, and visiting these places has really opened my eyes and made me realise.

Driving on the M25 feeling like a robot in a Black Mirror episode. Being in the Caribbean while the devastating outcomes of hurricane Irma and Maria were people’s reality, and talking to evacuees and people that lost their homes and businesses, it’s really made me think about what’s important. I know this may be a bit of a deep post for some people but I just think you have to explore as much as you can as I believe it can be a bit of a reality check, and that’s why I love travelling so much. Like don’t get me wrong, I like things and I like to shop but having possessions doesn’t stop me going anyway or doing anything, it’s just a luxury we have and should appreciate. It’s just a completely different world. That’s all.

Never stop exploring ~ Always discovering ~ Meet people and help people

 

Thanks for reading x

Meet my new dog!

Lifestyle

This is such a crazy story! Here’s a little background to why this is such an unforeseen story. I have loved dogs…not even loved…been obsessed with dogs since I can remember! I always, always wanted one growing up and would consistently ask for every birthday and every Xmas (also on the list was high heels-always wanting to be older and cooler). But never got one, because mainly my Mum is not a fan of animals at all. She’s not scared of them per say but definitely tries to avoid them. So having one in the house was never an option. I finally came to terms with it when I was maybe 17, and decided I would just get my own dog when I had moved out and got my own place. So I was mentally prepared to be without a cute little pup for however many years I lived at my family home.

If you’ve read either of my recent travel posts (more coming soon…) you’ll know I’ve been in the Caribbean since the start of August. 2 months doing conservation work on Montserrat and 2 months travelling. When I was on the conservation project, the guys on the site introduced me to all of their friends they had off site. One example is our friend Charley. She runs a dive centre on the island (if you’re a keen diver and want to travel: Click the link!) and is a active conservationist, always planning beach/reef cleans, trying to inspire locals on the island to save the coral reefs and her main objective is to be as waste-free as possible. I really admire her, she is such a hard worker. On top of running her own business all on her own, she has 4 dogs, a horse and a goat to look after. I know! All of which had been abandoned on the island.

I first met Charley on my first Saturday in Montserrat as she was hosting a karaoke party and invited us all round to…well sing if you can call it that. But to be honest most of us tried our hardest to avoid it. At this time she had just obtained her newest addition to her 4 puppy pack- Pea. Pea was only about 4 months old at this point, so still pretty small and very excitable. I immediately loved her, she was so energetic and playful, just so cute! So anyway, time passed and suddenly we are nearly at the end off our 2 months working in Montserrat, all ready to explore the Caribbean, this is when Charley had decided that 4 dogs (on top of everything else) was wayyyy to much to handle so she was looking for a new home for sweet little Pea. I didn’t even think twice about asking my family, as I just knew what the answer was going to be.

Lets jump forward about 3 weeks (beginning of October), I slyly dropped Charley’s dilemma into conversation with my family back home, and they were totally up for adopting Pea!!! I couldn’t believe my luck!! I’ve managed to help a friend out as she was struggling so much in finding a home suitable for this pretty pup AND I get my own little doggo! I’m so so excited to get training her and have her as my own! I’m thinking about blogging the ‘Pup updates’, I’m imagining some funny stories will come out of me trying to keep her under control!

My little Pea pod

I am now in my last week off being in the Caribbean, it has been the most incredible trip and I’ve learnt so much, and now on top of that I have my very own Caribbean pooch to come home with me and remind me of it.

I know this has been a bit of a long winded explanation, but it’s just one of those things that I never thought would happen. And I’m so happy! I’m flying home from the Caribbean with a puppy- magical!

If you are ever in my situation: here are my main tips for transporting an animal (there is soooooooo much paperwork!!)

  • Do your research! There is so much you need to know and so many different variables depending on place, transport, type of animal.
  • Get ahead of the game! I started to get stuff ready over 2 months before I leave to go home and I’m on my last week now and I’m still getting stuff organised.
  • Be honest and take your time! Don’t try and hide anything under the rug, there could be massive charges when you reach the other side. I knew people that did the same thing I’m doing but missed out a bit of a particular form and it cost them £700.

Thanks for reading x

C L E A R your mind: How To Destress

Lifestyle

Super quick post for you today, I was at the beach today and it was so relaxing so I got thinking about the best ways to destress so I’ve put together my top tips of what I think really helps when you’re stressed.

1) RE-EVALUATE: With me, I always just like to think about the situation I’m stressed about first to check it’s even worth getting worked up about. I’m sometimes getting stressed over nothing and all it took to realise this was to just have a little think about it.

2) TALK TO A FRIEND: When you feel that you’ve got a stressful situation, it is always better to talk to someone about it, that way you get a second perspective from an outside observer and it gets it off your chest and out in the open.

3) DISTRACT YOURSELF: For me, one of the worst things you can do if you’ve got something stressful going on, is consistently worry and think about it again and again and again, it doesn’t help your mindset and perspective on the situation. So go out, get some fresh air and do something that you know will take your mind off it. Whether that’s a stroll through the park, grabbing a coffee, having a bath or even a bit of retail therapy!

4) GO TO THE SEA: This one only works if you live on the coast (obviously), the ocean is sooooo relaxing, the sound of the waves is so peaceful and to be honest even watching the waves can be so tranquil. If you live near the sea, make the most of it and destress by the ocean. I mean, who has ever been stressed while on a beach! Not me! Alternatively, there are so many apps now that have a lot of relaxing sounds and mini meditation guides, they can work just as well and that way you can destress on the move. Just taking a bit of time out of your day to clear your head. Check out: Headspace, Calm and Relax Melodies.

5) THINK POSITIVELY: This is the main one for me, everyone goes through stressful situations and you always come out the other side. You just have to try and remember that it’s not forever so not to worry to much (definitely easier said than done I’m a massive worrier!!).

I hope this was a little helpful. Thanks for reading and take it easy!

Fresh Start

Lifestyle

Hello to anyone reading this!

I’ve wanted to start a blog for a while now but I’ve always been too scared or busy and simply not knowing what to do, but there’s a lot about to change in my life so what better way to document than a blog eh? As my first post, I thought I would talk about having a fresh start. I feel like everyone has a fresh start at some point or other, whether its because they’ve been hurt or maybe just bored off everyday life. For me, I’ve had a pretty emotional year so wanted a change. My change is moving to Canada to become an Au Pair and I couldn’t be more excited to do new things and meet new people. Follow me on my journey! Plus random beauty and food bits.

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Victoria, BC, Canada