Happy 1 Year Of Blogging

So exactly a year today was when i first set up ' Love -X- Beauty'. I had no idea on where i wanted the blog to go or what i wanted to achieve from it apart from that i knew i wanted to share my passion of all things beauty and fashion related. I am so so happy in how far it has grown over the year and i still see it purely as hobby and something that i dont want to see as a 'chore' or posts being forced. In the year i have had times where i just completely have writers blog and have found that scheduling posts is my best friend. I love how sometimes i will write out posts in the pure excitement of finding an amazing product that has wowed me so much. 

Most of all i just want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone that follows my blog and leaves me lovely comments :) everytime you interact me with i feel so happy and i love blogging so much. 

Again following on from my 2014 post i have so many ideas for my blog this year and i cannot wait to share them all with you! i will be coming at you all with a handful of posts. 

Happy 1st year of blogging to my blog yayyyyyy! 

New Year New start - 2014

 Well hello everyone!! it feels like such a long time since i have properly blogged and its been so weird not writing out posts. To be honest life just completely took over with stress of uni work and enjoying christmas its been left behind but im back :) - Hope you all had a lovely christmas!

2013 has been a strange year for me as ive felt like life has just been plodding along but me looking from a different perspective. I havent felt myself at all and not to sound too down but i havent been enjoying life as i should be. At 22 years old i have been having a so called midlife crisis is whats its seemed. I have had alot more downs than ups to be fair. Just a few weeks ago i thought everything i was doing was just going completely wrong not being motivated or wanting to actually do anything. So ive vowed that 2014 will be so much better. 

I want 2014 to be full of laughter, memories and adventures. Doing things last minute that are completely spontaneous! - (I also have a book from Katie Piper who is a huge inspirational person to note and within the book it contains 365 of positive affirmations. Now you may be thinking god she needs to get a grip but honestly the small things like affirmations truely make me feel so much better. I cannot wait to look at it everyday and to not take life for granted. 

As most people say every year 'next year will be better - new year new start' i firmly believe its going to be my year in which im going to make it my mission for it to bring me back to life. I have no idea in what i want to happen but its going to be an exciting journey and i for sure want to update you all in what happens along the way :)

May 2014 bring you all happiness <3

'From today i will think about the good things to come in my life, and let go of things that have happened in the past. I can make great things happen'.

Log Cabin Weekend Away |

This post is long over due but i had some laptop issues and it just kept getting further delayed. Me and my boyfriend decided to have a mini weekend away at the end of october for a couple of nights in our home from home log cabin. We call it our second home as we have been going for over 3 years now and its just perfect. 

The log cabin itself is based in Worstershire, Kidderminster to be exact and its basically in the middle of nowhere. That sounds rather boring but in fact its heaven. Having one log cabin next door and actually in the countryside is somewhat perfect to us. We have been at every season and being near nature and quietness is bliss. 

The log cabin itself is called 'Bluebell Lodge'. Its a cabin for 2 people and consists of a open planned kitchen/living room. A cosey sofa, tv& dvd player and a small fire. The kitchen is fully fitted with everything you need like an oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher. 

The bedroom consists of a king size bed, a wardrobe and a set of drawers/mirror. Next door to the bedroom is the large sized bathroom which has a spa jacuzzi bath and a shower that has massaging jets. Also a new addition is an outside hot tub which is just simply amazing and so refreshing.

Near by to the log cabin is West Midlands Safari Park which is a lovely zoo packed with lots of things to do and explore the animals. A nearby town is about 20 minutes away.

This is perfect if you want to just get away from literally everything and just been in the countryside. A nearby forest is so pretty to have a little walk around. Everytime i come and stay here it feels like home and i always feel so relaxed after being here. This is my ideal cosy weekend and you have the freedom to make it your own. Sometimes we will just cudle u and watch dvds for most of the day, half a way, go in the hot tub for abit. Go the local pub for some food at the bottom of the road. 

Have you stayed in a log cabin before?

 

Book Review: Katie Piper Things Get Better |

It is very rare that i find a book that i can rave about constantly but i think i have found the perfect read that is so beneficial to myself and has made me open my eyes abit more about my life and the way my mind works. The book  - Katie Piper 'Things Get Better' is an incredible insightful read where Katie Piper who has suffered a great ordeal shares her personal stories and the letters that she receives to share her key steps that led to her recovery and helps others in gaining strength to move on whether its a break up, self esteem issues or even a more serious trauma. The book starts from the very beginning when you hit rock bottom and deals with the honest reality of overcoming the obstacles you are dealing with.

Sometimes when you are feeling down in your life we start to feel sorry for ourselves and whole cycle seems to happen where we go from being content and happy but as time goes on we start to decrease in ot mood and then go back into the same thoughts of having to try get back into the happy place. We often hear about how to improve our lifes and setting goals for ourselves and then sometimes we have others tell us how to live but at the end of the day its we decide what to do and how to live.

The main thing that i have discovered from this book is that we have to remember that we are loved but also we are human which means that the good times will come with the bad times. Tough things will come our way and there is now way to avoid them but the key is how we respond to them. We can either sit and complain about them or do something about them.

Is this book something you fancy reading?

Loving Lately |

I have been loving getting ready for the colder months even thought i absolutely hate it but i like layering and wearing things that are really snug and cosey. Of course i have been loving animal related things always. I have also been loving a fab social platform for bloggers called Glipho which is another place you can share your blog posts and meet other variety of bloggers too. Its so easy to sign up and use too.

 - My cat hasnt been very well lately and having him for 15 years i want to treasure him even more. Hes such a loveable character and i think anyone who is cat crazy can relate to how much they are precious. I mean come on look at his little face

<<<<<<<<<

 - Had a spanking new phone case from Marc Jacobs here. I love that its silicone but at the same time it really has protected my phone.

 - Getting way too excited for christmas this year which is quite unusual for me but i saw this mug and instantly had to buy it. Im going to be drinking my hot chocolate from this and it will be toasty warm with the added jumper too.

 - This geek rabbit jumper i saw on milkbubbletea blog and it was so adorable not to get. Its a thickish jumer and i brought it in a bigger size to be more baggy and snug. I have been wearing it contantly around the house on my lazy days.

- Ooh another animal dog related purchae. Seriously it needs to stop but will it? ;). These mittens were a mere £3 from primark abit ago but they do keep my hands warm for now until i wear thicker ones for when it snows etc















What do you think of my animal obsession? ;) 

What's In My Bag (Updated) |

I thought i would do an updated whats in my bag post seen as ive had a new bag for my second year at uni and it feels right to show you what i carry around with me on a daily basis. My bag is from ebay and its a celine dupe, its all black with many compartments inside and is so ideal as it is the right size for everything to be carried. It had a black strap that you use to carry on your shoulder or take it off. Even though its from ebay its actually very very sturdy and has been tested out in the rain etc. I am in love with this bag and its at a cheap price too here. They come in loads of different colours and variations. The only downside to the bag is the lining as you can tell its abit cheap but apart from that i love it.

My bag has been so tidy lately and this is how its been left - so il start with my purse which ive had for awhile now and its from river island not sure if you can still get it. But i love the nude colour and its the right size for all my cards and money etc. The quality is so good and it still looks fairly brand new.

I always carry some sort of mittens or gloves and they change all the time. These are some white fluffy ones i got from primark and they are so soft and cosey. Think they are around £3 but untill the weather gets really cold then these are staying for now!!

The A4 notepad and the smaller notepad are from whsmith. I love the polka dot spotty print and both of them are so handy to write down my to do lists and also my modules that i am doing to take notes. 

The white piece of electronic you can see on the notepad is actually my iphone portable charger which i got from ebay awhile back but there are plenty around from other places. I charge this using my iphone lead to my plug and then it has full battery for any time i need some battery on the go. I would highly recommend these as you never know when your phone may die and infact my iphone battery went abit crazy recently and this was so handy as i broken my power button so if it died i wouldnt of been able to turn it on without it being plugged in somewhere. 

My house keys which have been shown a couple of times with my pig key top thing. Helps me to see them underneath all the chaos in my bag usually. Also the black and white polka dot travel holder has my student id and travel tickets. Im so happy i brought one of these so it keeps everything in one place. 

The flowery pencil case is another purchase from ebay. Its so different from normal pencil cases and abit more grown up for me which is a surprise from cute animals. Its a good size to carry pens and highlighters with me on a daily basis. 

The leopard print umbrella from river island is from last year and its on its last legs but its still going strong. I always need an umbrella as where my uni is it rains alot of the time and especially as i travel to and from uni always need to be sheltered from the rain. 

And lastly the cat makeup bag from primark is so handy and such a small size for my bag to carry 'girly' things, paracetamols, deodrant, hand gel, powder, some bits of makeup etc. 

My bag doesnt seem to carry alot at the moment but im sure in time it will get abit chocker with many library books etc. I really really love my bag and if you are after a similar sized bag then this would be a fab one!!

Do you like my bag?

Review: Iconemesis Iphone Pug Phone Case |

I love nothing more then changing my phone cases and after another cute one to top the previous one. Ive mentioned a number of times on my blog that i am a big animal lover and so when i was sent a phone case by iconemesis* and asked to choose one i knew it had to be pug related.

The design of the pug pattern is by a talented woman named Gemma Correl who is a freelance illustrator and exhibited all over the world. This being said Iconemesis brings all illustations together and displaying them on phone cases with which you can carry cute designs wherever you go.There are so many designs which you can check out here. You really are spoilt with choice as the designs are amazing.

I have never been so excited about a phone case before but i think from the illustration you can see why as im all about pugs and its just so me. The phone case is plastic and is really sturdy which by accident i have dropped my phone several times and the case has protected it so well. I would really recommend you to have a look at the website if you are after some adorable designs for your phone!!

Do you like this pug design?

Autumn To Do List |

This Autumn i really want to make the most out of as this year seems to be flying by so quickly so i thought i would share with you the things that im going to be doing this season.

1. Dress up for halloween in something abit more scary then your average cat!!
2. Make soup from scratch
3. Enjoy a rare lazy day with plenty of films
4. Actually carve a pumpkin as ive never ever done that
5. Go to a bonfire
6. Go to a beer festival
7. Do more workouts then twice a week
8. Be able to make a sunday dinner 
9. Make memories with friends
10. Make each day count - no regrets!!

What is your to do list for autumn? id love to know!!

How To Be Yourself |

On my blog i like to have a  lifestyle/reflective kind of post. I find by doing these kind of posts its sort of like therapy but also can help others too. I was speaking to my best friend the other day and we were on about being true to yourself and how hard for many  years it has been to discover the real 'you'.

I wish as a teenager that i kept a diary as it would be so good to reflect and look back on. As a teenager this was where i was at my most confident stage i would say. I knew what i wanted to be and was very determined. But along the way i sort of did get 'lost'. I always wanted to fit in and for people to like me. I was very self critical of myself and i think along the way now i would of changed a few things. I thought this post would be helpful for people who are going start college or university, new job or a new situation. 

First of all you need to find yourself - by that i mean you cant be yourself if you dont accept yourself. Having time to youself 'me' time is always a good way to find out what you like and dont like. From this you can then know overtime that if you are with the right people that they will accept you for who you truely are. This may be abit of a hit and miss especially in the first few weeks of a new situation. Dont change yourself to fit into a group that you dont fit into.

Letting go of the past is always a tricky part of growing up. Its taken me personally a long time to get other things that affected me for so long. You shouldnt think that a moment or a period of time has to define you as a person for the rest of your life. This has been one of my hardest lessons to date and i think that allowing yourself space to grow and improve will better you in the long run. 

Stop caring about how people perceive you -  i for one am majorly affected with this point. This is something that i am still working on but i think that its one that completely makes you be yourself. If you change yourself for one person or a whole lot of people they may not like you and it could go on and on for a long long time. Being a people pleaser or always wanting that approval of love from people is never going to work out so who cares what other people say? this is your life and its up to you to do what you want to do.

Being honest and open - We are all not perfect and human after all. We do mistakes and may have things that we are ashamed of. Owning up or even admiting your flaws can help you to grow as a person. Even getting negative critism from your job or college/uni can help you improve your weaknesses and better yourself. 

Loving Lately |

Things i have been loving lately:

 1. These cute moomin pjs have taken me back to when i was little. I used to LOVE this programme alot. Primark you have done well!! :) £7 for the set.

                                                                       2. Anything pug related and i want it. This picture just makes me laugh everytime i look at it. Dont judge im easily pleased ....

 3. The leopard print shorts from topshop have been my little sale find for a bargain of £5. They are so comfy and can be styled for day or night easily. You know me i love anything leopard print ;)

 4. With the lovely hot weather in the garden i have been picking at the strawberries growing in our garden like crazy. Love strawberries they are one of my favourite fruits.

 5. This cat ring i saw on ebay and i thought it wa so unique and different. Im a huge cat lover and this ring is just perfect. I only like silver jewellery as i dont think gold suits me.

 6. I have been trying out this mini sample of the Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask and i absolutely love the results. Its unlike other clay masks that ive tried as its not drying on the skin whatsoever. It feels very luxurious and the benefits of my skin lasted a good few days after. Yay for good skin days.

 7. These brown aldo shoes are perfect. Im waiting untill my birthday to wear them. Cant wait :)

 8. My cat is so cute and its been lovely having garden days and him rolling around on the grass. Hes a timid little guy. This is his grumpy i dont want a photo taken kind of face >>>















What things have you been loving lately? :)

Lifestyle: "YES" |

I find that once in awhile i get those times in my life where i feel like i want to shut myself away from everyone just to have abit of 'me' time. I find that having this personal time on my own i can have some thinking time away from everything and will help to change my mood. I was reminiscing a few days ago about when i was little and how carefree everything was. Everything that i learned was all so new and exciting - i loved that feeling. The feeling of discovering something new maybe a new hobby or something i was really good at. This reflection so to speak has been something i have thought about abit especially with my birthday coming up i feel like i should be about 80 as i much prefer a cosey night in!! Where is my zest for life gone???.....The word 'No' and me have had a constant battle lately as im feeling unmotivated and lacking fun so i decided to myself that i need to change this to the word 'Yes' - i should be saying Yes to alot more things. 

'So many people go through life and work convinced that there is only one path open to them. That makes it true, because they never try anything else. But the world is a huge, glorious experiment, not a set of rules to be followed and boxes to the checked. How much you are willing to join in that experiment is up to you. The closer that you stick to the same script, the less you will discover about what might be even better. What holds most people back is fear of losing what they already have, however imperfect it might be. Just remember that you are in control of the experiment. You can try a little change as easily as a huge one' - (Love this from reading an article, huge motivation)

What do you want to say yes to more often?

Eat Clean Stay Healthy....

Hi Lovelies :) Hope you are all having a lovely bank weekend!! The last couple of weeks i have been non stop into trying get more healthy and in shape. Apparently yesterday was the day that people start wanting that bikini ready body!! (I do!!) I have been reading womens health magazine online and it really made me think about getting back into being more healthy and now is the perfect time to change. I am a very fussy eater i like good plain food and i have a very sweet tooth. 

 

I am a sucker for italian food a good old pizza, pasta you name it im there. Before trying to change my diet i assessed what i actually eat in a normal week of course it will change as i dont have a set meal plan. I actually realised that majority of my food is bad carbs. So ive been gradually changing my meals with a more healthy approach making sure i get the all important 5 a day or near enough in my diet and swapping things for a more healthy approach. This is not a diet that i am doing just more of a lifestyle change that suits me and makes me happy. 

 

The next thing i have been doing is exercising. I have been exercising 3-5 times each week and upping my protein intake as this helps muscles to recover and also doesnt make you ache as much the next day. At least two of the days i do intense workout and then the other days a more gentle approach. Circuit training, running, swimming, pilates, full body workout.... Also Blogilates & Toneitupcom on youtube have been fab workouts to do at home :) .... these have all been what i have been doing to work out. I have also noticed a huge difference in my emotions and also headaches. I used to have a headache frequently and now i can go days without one and after a workout i feel fab!! The results that i want is juts to tone up and feel better about myself so hopefully this change will benefit me and my body. 

 

 

Bring on a healthier me!! 

Do you workout or have any healthy recipes you could share? :)

 

 

What I Have Learnt: First Year at University....

 

 

 

I have been lacking on the lifestyle side of posts for abit and i thought it would be nice to read something a bit different!!. I started University in September at the Derby Buxton Campus studying International Spa Management. I can honestly say hand on heart it was the best decision i have made. I can name all the different career paths i have taken; hairdressing, childcare, IT, office, hotel. These careers paths were all ones that i have experience in from leaving high school and i have actually noticed that it has worked in my favour with having a good variety of experience that shows different skills. I have had a major passion for beauty/spa for a good few years and never saw it as a job but after a major lack of interest in my last job it was all i wanted to do and it was a big gamble as studying a new subject at degree level is hard anyway. I have had a lot of time spent in the library, cursing at myself why am i doing this but then getting a comment from a client like ' i really needed this treatment. You have been amazing' really makes it worth while. So i guess this ramble of a post might be insightful  to people who are starting university this year. 

 

I have learnt: 

 

Balancing having a social life with university workload: In the first few months it really sinks in how much work you have to do and with say 4 modules in a semester it is alot of work. Attending tutorials/lecturers are not even a quarter of the time you need. At least half of my spare time has been used by going in the library for hours and hours. I have felt so bad turning down friends for drinks etc for a deadline that is appearing so planning your time is something you need to find what works for you. 

 

Be confident: I have learnt that in order to meet new people and actually progress well within your chosen field you need to be confident. I had zero confidence at the start of the year and it quickly had to be changed. Whatever subject you are studying you need to be confident in yourself and that subject. You will have so many times that you need to present to people and this is something i wish someone had told me instead of finding out the hard way and being put on the spot. (Cringe)

 

Have fun: I know some of my friends went to university purely for the social side and yes it is amazing. Plenty of bar craws and crazy house parties. So enjoy it whilst its happening. You only live once!!

 

Say yes: For me this is an ongoing battle for myself. Trying to say yes to more things is something i wish i would of done in the first few weeks. So many societies you can join to meet new people and to go places on trips. My second  year i will be saying yes to alot more things

 

Be organised: For me im abit of a organised freak when it comes to workload. But being organised you could even finish an assignment before its due in causing you less stress. Also being prepared for what is coming up in lectures get a head start. 

 

For me so far university has been a ongoing journey that has ever so changed me slightly. Besides the debt side of things and the workload pressures its amazing!! 

 

Hope this little ramble might interest you :) its abit of change!! 

 

Do you like reading lifestyle posts? 

 

 

The Impossible List.....

I am one of those people who stick to what they know. For example i am really fussy with food i like things quite plain and nothing too fancy so going out for meals with my family they find a nightmare. I always settle for safe things to do and dont like being out of my comfort zone. I was a person who used to plan every last detail of things ahead of time so i had lots of things look forward to and i knew what was happening. This year i vowed to be more spontaneous and not plan everything so of course i mean i do plan holidays but little trips i want it to be more last minute. 

 

I decided quite recently i wanted to challenge myself more and especially with this blog it has taken me months to actually pluck up the courage and start doing it and as the days have gone by im more and more excited of writing posts and getting to chat to new people. Im definitely embracing new things. As i have mentioned i will write little lifestyle posts on odd occasions when i feel as though i want to share things with all of you lovelies :)

 

I have created a impossible list of all of things i thought wouldnt be possible. 

 

 

 

So here is my list: 

 

1. Help change one persons life for the better
2. Raise enough money to help children who are less fortunate
3. Run a marathon
4. Get over the fear of flying
5. Get over being claustrophobic
6. Visit australia 
7. Travel for more than a month
8. Do a road trip across europe
9. Learn to scubadive
10. Start my own 2 businesses with money ready

 You may read and think that many of these are possible things which they are but personally i have a few barriers to get me to do these things. I think for me to have these and see them more as goals its a little challenge that i can work on for myself. 

 

 “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible” – Walt Disney

 

Would you do a impossible list? set yourself some targets for this year? :)