this makes no sense, i should really stop babbling

Hey guys! so today i thought id do a haul, so recently I bought some new running shoes, oh shit wait, a haul? really em again? ok ok, how about a review! ah yes, got it in the bag, lets talk about, hmm, your new foundation, no, boring, ok ok, lets talk about, oh yes, skin care, everyone is just dying to find out what primer i use to minimise those awfully large pores of mine, oh wait. who cares, genuinely, who even cares


So as you can tell by my awful punctuation and sentence structure, I decided to let out some of the internal monologue from the more anxious part of my brain run down my arms and project onto this screen. I cant help but feel that every time i think about my blog or writing a blog, i'm stuck. Yeah sure i guess i could do a haul or review, like i've previously done, but sometimes they can become draining, as to me, my favourite foundation doesn't always help to take me away, by this i mean, pause reality and let my mind wonder. I tend to do this when reading anything really, a blog or a book, even the local newspaper where puppies are looking for a new home. Something simple like discussing my top ten Mac lipsticks has even made me question the point, yeah sure they are pretty blah blah blah, but aren't there more important things to talk about? Oh, well surely if I like my Mac lipsticks then there shouldn't be an issue, says one part of me, but the other says, em lipsticks aren't even relevant.

What about the 10 hours worth of homework you should have done? wont this affect your life? what if you dont get into college? oh no the world will end, but will it? will this giant piece of rock crumble just because i spent my evening watching skins and not practising how to rationalise a denominator? i dont think so

This is why recently i haven't posted, i love writing, but not necessarily just about beauty and lifestyle all of the time, things are much richer in a deeper sense rather than just money or materialistic things, sometimes we, especially me lose ourselves in that, sometimes we should just take control and not be so harsh on ourselves about things, focus on the present

em x

knock knock

Hey petals, today i thought i would post a room tour, yes a room tour i said it! a bit odd on a blog post i guess, but i wanted to show small aspects of my room in a different way, it was fun to do! em x

knock knock.....

''why is the door stop no where near the door?''

''em, you dont need any more makeup' 

'' I know mum, but it's just my thing''

''thank you so much mum, i am just in love with this perfume''

''oh yeah, i remember that toy car''

''it just reminds me i can be someone who makes me happy, that day was just amazing''

''if i didn't have fairy lights, my room would be in-complete''

''i have to buy this, it is just so pretty''

''my bed the most relaxing place to be''

''your canopy makes your bed look like a princess bed''

''all i want to do is snuggle up in bed and watch films with someone''

''oh, i do that all of the time, with my bunny rabbit of course''

''your grandma and grandpa would be so proud of you em''

''i miss them mum''

''i miss them too''

''capturing an image is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second''

                                                         ''this has got to be my favorite''

                                                                           hope you enjoyed, em x

happy

Hey guys, so recently (by this i mean quite a while) i have been feeling rather glum,  un-motivated to do anything. This happens to everyone at some point and can take form in many different ways. My general coping mechanism is to find little things that make me happy.

If you knew me in person, there wouldn't be a day that passed when i don't have a head phone in my ear. This may seem anti-social, but sometimes it does a great deal of good to shut the world out, for me its a therapeutic thing. I am definitely a music lover, from The XX to Eminem, i love it all. I find listening to music daily helps me relive a lot of stress. It can also help motivate, i always take my headphones to the gym, it keeps me motivated and to some extent, forces me to work harder. It takes me somewhere peaceful, like nothing else i have experienced.

'Surround yourself with others who make you feel happy and positive' a very close friend once told me this. There is no point surrounding yourself with people who inflict negativity onto you, however, it can be tricky to spot the people worth surrounding yourself with- this is just life, you just need to push forward, focus on being someone who makes you happy, rather than being with someone/people who make you happy. Once you have mastered focusing on yourself (friends&family) things should fall into place (or so i keep telling myself)

'There are many ways to express your emotions. Have you tried writing it down?'
I love to write, find any old piece of paper, or even a note book/journal. I could sit and write for hours, this is a very personal thing to do, it is great as it is your own blank canvas to put pen to paper. I always feel a lot more positive after writing, even if i have written down one thought.

I love to fill up my room with pictures or small ornaments that i can see everyday that make me happy, to remind me of moments i enjoyed, shared with people i love or that just lift my mood.



                                                                      thank you for reading. lots of love ems x

Weight of The World

Hey petals, so recently i have been a bit down in the dumps. So i apologise for the lack of blogs (not an excuse i know) Its not the typical teenager 'mood swings' either, i have just been feeling rather glum. i suppose its the 'pressure' of so many things. i have been bottling up alot of emotions rather than letting them out and clearing my head (no, i havent been eating oreos and watching pretty little liars all day to cure my troubles)  Sometimes its hard to respond to someone when they ask 'whats wrong?' as generally for me its not one particular reason but like i said many things  that amount to one big thing (its the little things that count apparently)  i have really been lacking motivation in general and so i thought i would write a post on how to cheer up when you are feeling the weight of the world (hopefully not to cringe worthy, i will have to see as i go along)

Weight of the world (lol dramatic) my first piece of advice is to approach the situation (if possible) and try to figure out why you are feeling 'low' or off colour. i tend to make myself feel worse by thinking 'but other people go through so much more' worrying will only cause more stress. Its important to remember everyone feels low at some point, and no matter how big or small we think the issue, everyone has the right to be upset/angry/confused (etc) we are only human and we can't stop ourselves from feeling emotion.

My second piece of advice is to 'do what you need to do' by this i mean, if you need to talk to people (best bet) to 'let your emotions out' and 'speak your mind' then you should, whether its a family member, friend, carer or stranger (just be careful with the stranger haha) its important to confide in someone you trust and it will help you clear your mind and approach how to move forward. However, if you feel like you are alone and there is noone, i suggest writing a letter, or notes about how you feel (mind mapping even) this may seem a little wacky (arent we all?) but i find this really works, it helps to relieve stress and anger because your feelings will be set out in front of you, making it easy to see what the issue is.

My last piece of advice is to' take care of you' by  this i mean, make sure you spend any time you can doing something you love, this could be anything. Personally,  i like to be around people that make me happy. It is easy to forget what makes you happy when you feel like you are stuck inside a bubble. But when you have time to yourself, it will lift your spirits and give you something positive to focus on.

' Happiness is by choice, not by chance'
                                               

                                               Hope this helped, if you need anything you can talk to me                                                                                       at  flowersandfreckless@gmail.com
                                                                                 lots of love em x            

Autumn Essentials

Hey petals, Autumn is here,my favourite season of the year (no rhyming intended)  Today i thought i would write a post on my 'Autumn Essentials'. I hope you enjoy x


My first Autumn Essential are dark lipsticks, i have chosen two the first being my new favourite;

 Mac's 'Cyber' this is a dark purple, almost looks black  (i promise its not) this colour looks amazing on dark skin and lighter skin, it is also sheer to build able coverage and has a satin finish which helps reduce the lips looking dry.  

The next is Rimmel's '107' from the Kate Moss Collection, this is a berry red colour, this suits a variety of skin tones (i think anyone can pull this off) it also looks great with a dark lip liner to create a gradient effect giving the lips more depth. One great thing about the Kate Moss line is the formula, '107' is a matte shade, however, its creamy and feels like velvet rather than drying the lips. Id say the coverage is similar to 'Cyber', as it is build able.







































My Second Autumn Essential are candles: Any type really, but i recommend the well loved 'Yankee' Candles, i only own one at the moment which is called 'Vanilla Cupcake' the name says it all really, i have had plenty of other Yankee Candles before, however, Vanilla is my favourite scent so would explain as to why this is my favourite. 'Vanilla Cupcake' smells so fantastic as it doesn't smell artificial at all, and is just so sweet and yummy. When i have it burning the whole house smells like a bakery (i love it). The price is a little high for a candle, but it is so worth it as they last ages!

My third Autumn Essential is a good powder: Normally i hate powders, however, as it is getting colder i have been obsessed with my Mac 'Studio Fix Powder' this is a powder foundation which would explain the amazing coverage. The reason i love this powder so much is due to its high coverage, yet it still allows my natural oils to come through. This is perfect for Autumn/Winter as it helps my skin to look flawless, yet also 'breathe', as it gets colder i tend to prefer a more heavy coverage foundation/powder and this is perfect for that. It retails for £21.50, which may seem a bit pricey but for someone who desires a good coverage, it is worth the money.

My fourth Autumn Essential are woolly jumpers: (these should be everyone's essentials) i absolutely love woolly jumpers for Autumn/Winter as they are such a classic and can be styled in so many ways. Mine is from Topshop, i picked this one up and wore it to death last year, but i have re-discovered it and my love for this jumper is flourishing once again. You can pretty much find woolly jumpers anywhere, i definitely recommend them to anyone!

My fifth Autumn Essential is lip balm: I wear lip balm everyday all year round, however, my favourite is this 'Nivea Essential Care' one, this is from the drugstore and costs just over a pound. I adore this as it moisturises my lips so well, its light and not scented. i also find it is a great base for lipstick.



                                     Thank you for reading, lots of love em x

The Future

Have you ever just wondered why you were put on this earth? (apart from the fact you were made, but lets not get into that story) this may seem like a deep thought its just many people say they were put here for a 'reason', i guess we all have that in us. But whats your reason? Im constantly being bombarded with talk of My future; what do you want to be? what courses are you taking at college? are you going to uni? When really i have no clue. I mean i know what im interested in (makeup, fashion, beauty and other non-materialistic things) but not necessarily when it comes to academics. When we grow, most of us have to attend some form of education, but text books dont always give you a clear answer as to how your life will pan out. Im kind of lost when it comes to what courses i want to take (well i want to take A-levels thats my first step, cries) there are a few courses im leaning towards, however, i cant decide whats right for me.

How do i know whats right for me when i dont even know what i want out of college? (apart from a few A-levels in something) 

If you are like me and are kind of lost, i suggest just trying to be positive, work hard in what you do. I want to get the best grades i can so i have a record of them for life (just as anyone these days). I strongly dislike school (apart from the social side) but it is my foundation to this Mystical and Magic 'Future' of mine. I just have to keep pushing through it. The upside are my great hobbies; blogging, shopping (when im not poor), family&friend time and make up. I suggest finding something you love, and doing it in your free time (unless you have homework, just get it out of the way first) its important to have time for yourself. It doesnt have to be expensive, it could be something like a new sport, singing or watching Disney films, its really a personal preference. I also like to go to the gym a few times a week to keep in shape, i love the gym as it really helps release any stress and i can be independent which i really enjoy. 

As much as it can be hard not to worry about your 'Future' its best to be open minded, if you are negative others can instantly detect it and can feed them negative thoughts (fair enough we all have 'one of those days') Just keep looking at all options and dont dismiss any.

                                                  I hope this helped, lots of love em x

Lessons i have learnt

Whilst listening to The XX (click here for a listen) its hard not to think about past experiences and whats still to come in life, so i thought i would write about lessons i have learnt from experience to help guide me into the future, of course we are still learning every day but maybe this could be helpful, hope you enjoy x

Comparing: of course it is a natural instinct to compare yourself to others, as i have already mentioned in a previous post , it is important to recognize that everyone has a different journey and some started their journey before others, embrace the little things and work your way up

Body Image: this can be a very sensitive subject for most people, however, after watching a video on body image recently, i learnt that we shouldn't be defined by a 'size' we should dress for our shape, everyone has a different shape and we shouldn't be ashamed of it, of course everyone has days where they hate their thighs however, you should dress for the way something looks, for the fit you desire not because you feel the need to be a certain 'size'

Self worth: its only recently i have started to recognize its important to value yourself, by this i mean dont feel you are 'below' anyone, everyone is equal, i used to let anyone walk over me as i felt intimidated by others, i would focus on only what other people wanted me to do rather than do what i wanted, one day i just sat and thought 'by feeling below others, am i happy?' so i started to become more confident with what i wanted to do and now i focus on what makes me happy

Hope this helped, lots of love em x

I love drugstore makeup tag

As Im on a roll with blogging today, I thought I would do a tag, I chose 'drugstore' makeup as it can be reasonably priced for begginers, hope you enjoy!

What's your favourite drugstore makeup brand?
This is hard questions as I like many different brands for different products, I would  have to say Rimmel since they have an amazing range of very pigmented and affordable lip products, they carry a nice range of foundations and their cult 'stay matte' powder

What are your favourite face, cheek and lip products?
I would have to go with Revlon's colour stay foundation, I use the formula for oily skin and it lasts all day, for cheeks I would go for sleek, as their blushers and bronzers are so pigmented and very good value for money, and for lips I'd definitely stick with Rimmel lipsticks (especially the Kate moss line) the formula is very creamy (the matte shades are my favourite and even they aren't drying)

What is your least favourite product from the drugstore?
For this I would have to pick Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation, I love this product on other skin types, however, my skin is oily and I end up looking like a chip shop after an hour of wearing it, it looks lovely on normal/dry skin, and gives a dewy finish but doesn't work for me (sad I know)

What is the best makeup bargain?
Oo, for this I'm going with MUA's heaven and earth palette, with this product you get 12 neutral shades (all satin finish) they are so pigmented and quite easy to blend, this is a great product for makeup beginners and only costing £4 you can't go wrong

What is your favourite underdog product?
Underdog, I would have to say Collection 2000 Creme Puffs, they have a creamy texture when first applied, and dry matte, the pigmentation and lasting power is great, (maybe similar to the NYX soft matte lip creams) I love them

What is a drugstore product that is over priced?
Eye liners, I find that some can be super over priced for what they are, especially when they go streaky when applied or start to crumble (mine tend to dry out)  some are £8-9 to be honest I'd rather spend a few pounds more in Mac and invest in something that will last, and won't dry out

What is your favourite drugstore dupe?
This wasn't hard to choose, maybelline colour tattoos are my first choice, they are so similar to mac paint pots, you really can't go wrong as both Maybelline colour tattoos and Mac paint pots are a great investment for beginners as there are no tools required

What drugstore product isn't worth the hype?
No7. Beautifully Matte foundation, I find this product is great for my skin type, however, it oxidises so much and looks patchy throughout the day time (very orange)

I tag, Sins and Sparkles, LauraLouiseBell and everyone else I follow x

Hope this helped, and hope you enjoyed! Lots of love em x

A read for a Rainy Day

Hey Petals, today I thought I would Write a post about self worth, there are probably a million posts on this, however people have different perspectives on this topic (if you don't like a slice of cringe, I suggest trying a slice of cheese cake) - Olivia

In life everywhere you go people will love you, people will hate you and people will be oblivious to your existence, the one thing I used to find hard  was accepting that, over the years I have found it really hard to accept who I am, or who I'm becoming, I guess that's because of experiences people go through in life, everyone has a different journey and it is so important to remember that. The thing I struggle with the most is comparing myself to the person next to me, of course I am still discovering new things about myself each day just as anyone, but sometimes you fade into the darkness and only see someone else's light, it makes you feel worse and worse and almost consumed.

                         

This is one famous quote, which really hit me like a tonne of iced teas, it really is true, "Don't compare your start to someone else's  middle" everyone takes different paths, which lead to different outcomes, if you spend a lot of time comparing yourself to others so much that it makes you feel worse, you need to step out of that mindset and realise what is in front of you, just remember that the only way you can reach the finish line is by taking the first step. This may all seem easier said than done, but once you cross the first line, it becomes easier to keep running. Remember practice makes perfect, don't forget that everyone has down days (I find Reeses peanut butter cups are a good healer) its only human, realising what you have isn't about the big things, it can often be about the little things that amount to a lot.

                 If you haven't fallen asleep by now, thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed em x

OOTD: Summer is ending

Hey Petals,
Today i thought i would do a different kind of post than usual, as August is over and Autum is on its way i thought i should do an outfit post on what i wore before i need wellies and my parka,  was a bit apprehensive posting this but i should stay open minded, enjoy

Hope you enjoyed! lots of love em x

Being Optimistic

Greetings, so summer is ending and it's nearly time for me to be back at school and as the days pass on so do the seasons, in autum/winter I love fashion and make up even more (who would of thought) but I tend to lack optimism in general, maybe im just lazy or it could be the cold weather and school work (especially this year, more gcses's here I come) so today I thought I would just write a post on some ways to help stay optimistic and positive (even when it rains on the day you wanted to wear sandals)


Tip number one
Count up all of the little happy things that happen to you throughout the day, in my case (I had a bottle of iced tea,  I went for a walk and laughed so much i almost wet myself) the little things count the most as they add up to a large amount of positivity, try not to see your glass half-empty and see it as half full, it may sound easier than it is but if you are in a situation where you start to feel negative, try to take a brighter outlook on what's happening (try to have the mindset that some others have it worse than you) remember the positive aspects


Tip number two
Aim to eat right, by this I meal eat breakfast, lunch and dinner , I must admit we are only human and sometimes we under eat or over eat, personally I like to eat three meals a day and try to not snack inbetween, what you eat is completely up to you, i reccomend eating a good variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates within your diet (not for every meal, unless you want to) as you all know your body and brain need energy to be healthy, eating veggies can help make you feel more alive (if I don't eat three meals a day I am a grumpy girl, eating can instantly energise you)

Tip number three
Try to be compassionate, whether its to a friend, family member or a member of the public, just try it
Its all about being kind to others or even someone in need (for example a homeless person) as cheesy as this sounds, I find watching someone else be happy, or being kind (walking an elderly person across the road or grabbing an iced tea for someone on the top shelf)  can make me feel happy even if I'm not the one helping, so next time you see someone in need or maybe just your friend always show compassion (you may have those days where you hate anything and everything, but there's no harm in trying)

Tip number four
Smile, whether you are feeling happy or not, just smile. Whenever I do my mood intstantly feels lifted, so smile all of the time, whenever you get the opportunity (show those pearly whites)  smiling is a cycle, smiling reinforces happiness,and happiness causes smiling.


Thank you so much for reading, just remember these are my ways to feel more optimistic, let me know your thoughts! I hoped they helped, lots of love em x

Recent Purchases

Hey Petals! Today i thought id share a few recent items i have purchased over the last month, mainly for my shopping splurge with Olivia, i have been on a few shopping trips and picked up bits that i love, i guess this is more of a haul but hey-ho, lets get started i hope you enjoy! (don't forget money doesn't grow on trees, some items were gifts and others i bought with my own money)


Mineralise

The first product i purchased was this Mineralise skinfinish from the 'Tropical Taboo' Collection by Mac. Its  called 'Adored' as soon as i saw it i fell in love and i had to get my hands on it! Retailing at £22 this may seem a bit pricey , however, they last ages and are very flattering on the skin when reflected by light. This shade is beige with Pink flecks, (very versatile) pop some on the tops of the cheek bones, temples, down the nose and cupids bow for a beautiful glow (love love love)

The next Product i picked up was the very well loved 'Nars Laugna Bronzer' this product is always raved about an ive always wanted to try it (i basically live on a desert island lol) i traveled an hour for this baby! This Bronzer is matte with a few flecks of shimmer (hardly noticeable if you like your matte shades as i do) its very versatile and i think would suite many skin tones. Retailing at £26 i would say it is worth the money, it has great longevity and pigmentation, also the packing is super sturdy so will help prevent breakage.

Mac mineralise skinfinish 'Adored' on the left and Nars 'Laguna' on the right

 Next i picked up Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara, this is one product i will forever re-purchase, after getting a free sample in an 'Elle' Magazine a few months ago i new i couldn't go without it. Retailing at £19.50 seems ridiculous for a mascara (mascara's mascara right? apparently not) this makes such a dramatic difference, it volumises and separates the lashes. The wand is plastic (i normally go for natural hair bristles with mascara but this is amazing) i definitely recommend this to anyone, besides the packaging is adorable and it lasts ages, (ive been using a travel sized one for months and only recently ran out)   

Next i picked up two lipsticks from Mac

The first (above) is called 'Lady Danger' this is an orange toned matte red, i love this shade with a neutral eye. Id say this colour is pretty versatile with many skin tones and lasts well on the lips with a lip liner or by itself (it can be drying so i recommend applying a lip balm before)

The second (above) is called 'Candy Yum Yum  this is a neon pink with a magenta under tone (the picture does not do this colour any justice so i recommend swatching it.) This colour is matte with a velvet finish (perfect, there is no colour like this) In my opinion this colour suites a wide range of people, if you want to be bold this is one colour for your collection. 

'Lady Danger' below and 'Candy Yum Yum' above, 

both retailing for £15 (a little pricey, but fantastic for a high end lip product) 

You may not wear these bold shades every day, so they will last a long time.

Next i picked up a Hollister body spray called 'Cresent bay' and a body lotion called 'Malibu Beach' Personally i don't wear Hollister clothing,however, i always re-purchase something from the body care line. The 'Cresent bay' body spray is always in my hand bag as it smells so amazing (like skittles and rainbows) i always get complimented when i wear this, as i like to have it with me so i can feel refreshed throughout the day. The 'Malibu beach' body lotion is also amazing, it smells of Almonds (just like marzipan), it feels very creamy on the skin and absorbs well. Both products last all day, retailing for £12, id say its totally worth the money as they last so long (i re-purchase one spray a year and use it on a weekly basis) these are products i always re-purchase.

Last of all, my lovely Mum bought me this super cute Nemo mug from the Disney Store, (Finding Nemo being my favourite film of course) Now i can enjoy a nice coffee with Nemo!

Thank you so much for reading, i hope you enjoyed! (in no way was i trying to brag about any items, it took me months to save up and be able to purchase these items) 

lots of love em x