Summer Favourite - No7 BB Cream

I'm going through one of those stages at the moment where I hate the feel of makeup on my face. As soon as I have foundation on my skin I want to take it off and I think this is because I have started going to the gym in the mornings without makeup on and it feels invigorating to not have to worry about what you look like in front of strangers.

On my weekly hunt in Boots for makeup, which is one of my favourite things to do. I tweeted and asked if anyone had an foundation recommendations for oily/sensitive skin. Someone mentioned about the No7 foundation as they loved the coverage. I went to check out the stall, not because of the coverage but because I had completely forgot about the brand. I completely love their advertising but in terms of in store stand out, I never gravitate towards it.

As I was having a little browse, this little number caught my eye. Now I have never been a fan of BB creams in the past as they are always way too orange for my fairly pale skin tone, plus the consistencies of them can be a bit off putting. I gave the little tester a go and the colour didn't seem too bad and the consistency was velvety smooth.

 No7 BB Cream in Fair / Chloé L'Eau de Chloé perfume / New look necklace / Frassy earrings 

Since that day I have been in love. Now for a pale girl, the colour can seem quite dark but I have actually been mixing this with 'Wake me up' concealer for a radiant glow and it has made the perfect tone for me. The coverage is enough to even out my skin tone but not too much so I feel I have a lot on my skin. It has UV protection, which is always a plus side for me and it hasn't given me any breakouts yet which is a no1 win in my books.

I have just been blending this onto my skin with my fingers, adding a touch of concealer on my breakouts with a dash of highlighting blush and a lashing of mascara, oh and lets not forget the brows. Hello no makeup, makeup look in just a few easy steps! The BB cream blends really nicely and doesn't have too much of a fragrance. I would say it smells like moisturiser which is quite a nice smell to me. There are also two other types of this BB cream for normal and dry skin, so there is something to suit everyone.

What makeup have you been loving lately? I would love to hear any recommendations, especially with new launches.

Have a wonderful week!
Love Khrissie x

Advice: A positive change

Oh hi! How are you all doing?

I thought I would take some time to have a chat with you guys as I've been in a rut lately that I cant seem to get myself out of. I really enjoy writing on this blog as I do dream of myself as Carrie Bradshaw on a regular basis and although I'm not the best writer in the world I hope my words can help in some way.

So I started my blog in May 2014 as a hobby as I was so fed up of the same routines in my everyday life, that I needed a good distraction before I crumbled into a pit of shame, willowing in my own despair. Sounds depressing right...well it was. So I started writing about beauty, fashion and lifestyle and I was so good at writing three posts a week but then it started to feel wrong and I soon realised that my passions dont really rely in these areas as much as I have a passion for helping people.

I am/was such a positive person back in the day but over the last couple of years I have felt myself changing into that wingeing friend that no one wants to be around. And that just isn't ME. So this post is about the start of a big change, a positive and happy one. I want to become the BEST version of myself and live a life that I can be content with...

I think the start of this moaning self, began with my anxiety.

Back in 2010 I was involved in a car crash with my sister which resulted in a written off car and whip lash for me. We were super lucky that was all the damage, as it could have been horrific. But since that day I haven't felt the same. You could say June 2010 was life changing for me.

My whip lash symptoms started with the hope they would fade into nothing, I could get on with my life as normal and forget about the event that took place that day. To my annoyance they got worse. A whole lot worse. At first I couldn't walk on the streets without a fear a car was going to drive into me. I felt like I was going to have panic attacks all the time but I was good at reading my body and distracting the effects, THANK GOD! I couldn't bare the thought of having a breakdown while I was on an internship, in front of people I didn't know!! This panic slowly got better over time but I now can't get into a car without freaking out that I am going to get hit again. Its something I am dealing with myself as I refuse to go on any sort of medication to help me.

Now, I know there are lots of people in the world with much more serious problems, I'm not trying to get pitty or anything of the sorts. I'm just figuring out where it all went wrong and how I can make the change for the better. So since the whiplash I noticed my neck was going numb, thinking some physio would sort me right out I had a good few sessions to see if there was any progression. I noticed small differences every time I went but nothing major so I ended up stopping that treatment and life went on. I went through a stressful period in my life where I had left uni and was trying to get a job and in the mean time the numbness was getting worse.

I had glandular fever in between all of this too which led to a fear I might have ME but resulted in chronic fatigue. That was a much better result but I still get bouts of it now and it effected me a lot at the time. From then (2012) to now I have undergone a series of tests to find out where the numbness was coming from as over the years it has spread down my back, arms, legs and bum. It has even effected my sex life as the numbness has spread too far. Its a kind of numb where you can feel something is touching you but not completely, like when you get pins and needles. Its an absolute pain in the ass (no pun intended ha!) and no doctor has given me any answers so I have the fear this is always something I am going to live with. 

I dont think I would mind as much if it didnt also come with a lot of pain in the neck and lower back. I'm afraid I wont be able to headbang anymore guys..I'm sorry. So thats another thing I am going to have to complain to the doctors about as well as my flair ups of IBS (Irritable Bowl Syndrome). 

I guess over the last 5 years I have had to deal with a lot. I've had my accident, trying to graduate uni with Glandular Fever (which I had to get in third year), family issues; which I will go into another time and trying to get a job out of uni, that I am happy in.

I never realised how much this has all effected me until I'm writing this right now. For five years I have let the incidents of one day control me and I cant deny how sad that makes me feel. I'm happy I have noticed that I need to make a change and sharing this with you is the first step to putting it all behind me and becoming that happy positive person I once was...

And so to round this up. No, this wouldn't be how I would want to spend my life. My resolution this year was to be happy, something that sounds so simple but quite hard to achieve. This is going to be my number one goal from now on and a thought I'm going to keep in mind when I make decisions in the future.

I'm sorry for the rambley post but I wanted to be honest with you all. I have always been honest and caring in the past and I have realised that talking about whats in your mind is the best kind of therapy to move on from whats stopping you being yourself. Lets share a journey of happiness together and have an amazing happiness party at the other end where we can say goodbye to the negative and hello to the positives.

I have been stuck in a rut for so long with this blog and what I want it to be, but now I have realised....

I want to help people. Give tips on happiness and to feel great and get motivated to really live your life the way you want. Say no to who and whatever is holding you back and yes to a better you. 

I hope this has been helpful in some way, do comment with your stories and rambles and lets create a community where we can help each other change them into positives. 

Lots of love 

Khrissie x

Ideas: A Lazy Weekend

So there is nothing better than having your days off at the end of the week to enjoy yourself, relax, indulge and experience new things. I see as Fridays and Saturdays as my days for getting out of the house and doing fun things and Sundays as my relaxed day. Lately my Saturdays have been my chilled day as I haven't been feeling too good and so when it gets to Sunday I feel like I need to do something.

Dont get me wrong, its still a chilled out day but sometimes I just can't handle sitting around all day as I feel like I'm wasting my life away, so I've put a list together of little things you can do on your day off that make it a little bit more interesting.

1/ Making snacks ready for a film or a TV marathon
So sometimes there is nothing better than getting cosy in your dressing gown and sitting down with some treats to watch a film or catching up on your favourite shows. Instead of buying in some snacks full of bad things why not make your own? This will help you accomplish something in the day and also help to improve your cooking skills.

Now I'm a little addicted to popcorn at the moment and it can be such a simple thing to make. Buy some popcorn kernels, add half a cup to a saucepan with some coconut oil or butter, put a lid on and watch them pop away. All you need to do it make sure you shake the pot now and then so non of them get stuck to the bottom and add your flavourings. You can just add sugar and a pinch of salt or if your feeling extra naughty drizzle some chocolate over the top! yum!

Another thing that is really easy to make are cookies! I always whip these up on random occasions as they take less than 20 minutes and taste a lot better than the ones you find in the supermarket. You can try my 'Chocolate Tea' flavoured ones here or just change the recipe and miss out the tea leaves and mix in chocolate chunks instead or if your feeling health conscious you can try this 'Coconut Tart'

Tea flavoured cookies dipped in chocolate 

Gluten-Free coconut bites (tart)

2/ Yoga
I've done yoga here and there over the past few years but I haven't really stuck to it but when I do take part in a class or follow a yoga video I feel so much better in myself. Yoga helps you to reflect on the positives in your life and get rid of all the negative vibes that are dragging you down. Its also a form of exercise which releases good endorphins which will make you feel better anyway.

So in the comfort of your own home grab a mat or blanket, turn on youtube and either follow a session from your laptop or connect it to your TV with a HDMI cable. No one will have to judge you but you will feel much better for it when you are finished.

3/ Plan a weekend away with your loved ones
So todays the day when you really don't want to do anything so why not take the time to plan a little break away? Everyone needs some 'me' time or just a moment to get away from the stresses of everyday life and enjoy what is around you. I done this the other weekend and now I have something to plan and look forward to.

Me and Nick have planned a 2 day getaway in Graffham, West Sussex in a cute little flat that we found on Air BnB. Its set in a little town where we can go for walks, have lunches at a local pub and enjoy the quiet life of the countryside. Its going to be a great time for us to spend some quality time together and really enjoy each other company without worries about the daily chores we need to get done. There are hundreds of places on Air BnB you can check out and you can get a lot of them for a great price and in locations that hotels dont offer you.

Source: Air BnB 

I am already dreaming of staying in a log cabin in the heart of Scotland where there is a hot tub and beautiful scenery around us, I mean, how dreamy does that sound? So grab a notebook and start a Whats App group and get your next trip planned. It doesn't have to be expensive like a holiday abroad but you can have just as much fun because its about the company you keep, not where you keep it.

4/ Write a letter
The world we are living in right now is becoming more of a digital one as the months go by. Gone are the days when we need to make a effort to talk to someone by either travelling to their house for a catchup or writing a letter and telling them about your day, all it takes is a quick facebook message or a text and thats it. The only thing with this is that the communication is short and sweet and not really meaningful.

Now we all love a bit of stationary and what better excuse than to buy your own writing set? There are lots of beautiful ones out there so head down to your nearest Paperchase or purchase one online and get writing! Here are a few of my favourites:

Source: Paperchase Art Deco Set (left) & Paperchase Parisian Set (right)

Source: Etsy Writing kit with box

 5/ Go to a Car Boot

If your a pinterest fanatic like most of us then you are going to love a good car boot sale. There are always little gems hidden away which would make the perfect DIY project. Buy an unwanted chair or bedside table, sand it down and re paint it. Spray an old ornament or lamp stand copper. All done for pennies but way more satisfying than finding something triple the price in a shop. 

Give your area a good google for some car boots and head down one weekend. You will be surprised what you can find when you have a good nose around. 

I hope you have enjoyed this post and I have inspired you to do something different with your day!

I will add a few more things when I get the time so watch this space. 

Enjoy your lazy day no matter what you do.

Love Khrissie x

Always being thankful

Hello guys,

It's been a while since I've blogged but life has really been so busy, especially when Christmas was just around the corner. Thanksgiving in America has also  happened which always makes me wonder why this is something that happens only once a year and only in America. Its way more important than Valentines, Easter, Halloween and even Christmas in some circumstances. A lot can happen in a year, most of which you could never expect in a million years.

So many sad stories of friends, family members getting ill or even passing away, own family issues and news stories about other people around the world having to deal with sadness. Knowing that you cant do much about many of these things is not a nice feeling, which is why I think so many people become blind to a lot of these situations.

Going into 2015 is where Im going to change the direction of this blog, mainly because of the over saturation of beauty and fashion where every few blogs have the same reviews about the same things, and quite frankly I hate following the crowds. I want to do something more meaningful and something where I can actually help people to stop some of this sadness, even only for a minute. I will be donig more DIYs and will include fashion and beauty but I want to help solve problems, help you be more confident or realise how pretty you are and show you how important life is to live, instead of being so obsessed in an online life.

I hope you will come along on this journey with me because I'm pretty excited about it. Since I was a little girl I have always wanted to help people, whether that was helping an old lady cross the street or understanding those people with deep issues and telling them it will be okay.

So watch this space ladies and gents,
2015 is going to be a good one!

Love Khrissie x

Improving Blog Content #bloggersdoitbetter

(So I decided to illustrate the whole blog instead of just writing out 

as I was going to post like that but it weren't very me. Let me know

what you think to this more illustrated blog. It took ages but I really

enjoyed it!)

The Liebster Award

So yesterday I got nominated by the lovely Katriona Juliekins for the Liebster Award.

This is an award which is given from one blogger to another. Its a great way to promote

other lovely bloggers and to give them recognition for what the do. You then nominate

other bloggers...and the chain continues....

Rules: 

1 / You must link back to bloggers that nominate you

2 / You must list 11 random facts about you

3 / You must answer 11 questions (given by the blogger who nominated you)

4 / You must nominate 11 other bloggers with less than 200 followers 

5 / You must not nominate the blogger who nominated you

6 / Let your nominees know you nominated them (link them in your post)

11 random facts about me:

1 / Pizza is my favourite food

2 / I'm from Essex originally 

3 / I love being spontaneous 

4 / I want to travel the world

5 / I love calling people muffin?

6 / I'm yet to find someone who is just like me

7 / I love beyonce! 

8 / Unicorns are brilliant!

9 / I have funny theories about life

10 / I don't like being around negative people

11 / I daydream all the time

11 questions from Katriona Juliekins

1/ Are you a One Directioner?

They have catchy songs but I'm afraid I'm not in love...

2/ Guys with stubble or no stubble?

Stubble is nice to look at but no stubble is better to kiss

3/ Whats your favourite thing about being a blogger?

Getting to talk and meet the nicest people ever!

4/ Whats my guilty pleasure?

Singing to Shania Twain when I'm on my own

5/ Five weird facts?

 - I get bursts of energy before I sleep

 - I'm always dancing in the mirror

 - I like to pretend I'm a mermaid when I'm in the bath

 - When I'm a passenger in a car and a song comes on I pretend I'm in a music video

 - I love picking off nail varnish 

6/ Do you have a bf/gf?...if so how did you meet?

Yes I do have a BF! We met the second month of uni at a pub crawl.

It was love at first sight and I knew I wanted him and here I am 4 and 

a half years later. yipee!

7/ Did anything surprise you about being a blogger that you didn't expect?

I didnt know how lovely the community was or that you could talk to so 

many lovely people!

8/ Night in or night out?

Night in! I've done the uni thing now and I can't really drink now so 

a night in with a takeaway and some friends is perfect for me 

9/ Favourite ice cream flavour?

OMG mint chocolate chip and I want some NOW! ^_^

10/ Chinese takeaway or Dominos?

Er! Dominos...duh! Pizza is the best!

11/ What are your expectations or goals for your blog in a year?

I would love to reach 1,000 followers, meet more bloggers and 

have content I am really proud of!

11 questions from Becky from BBYB:

1/ What makes you really happy?

Knowing my friends and family are happy and healthy & personally 

achieving my goals and ambitions

2/ What is your real passion? My first passion was to become a Graphic Designer. I am one now and my new passion is creating a blog I love. 
3/ Why did you start blogging? I've been reading blogs and watching Youtube for years now and I have always tried to start one since the first year of uni in 2009 but it never worked out. I've always dreamed of being Carrie Bradshaw but I'm not the best writer so this is the next best thing. 
4/ Who is your favourite blogger + YouTuber? At the moment I love the blog by Audery Leighton called Frassy. She  gives me lots of inspiration. I'm watching a lot of Tyler Oakley at the moment and I also love Velvetgh0st
5/ What are your top 3 'desert island' products? If I really was on a desert island there would be no one around me so I  would definitely be sporting the bare faced look as no one would care.  I would want to be clean so a big bottle of cleanser and cotton pads, a moisturiser with an SPF and deodorant....done!

6/ What couldn't you live without? I would have to say my phone! I can access everything through it and how would I contact my friends and family when they dont live near me! Its an obvious choice but its obvious for a reason.
7/ How do you stay motivated? Funnily enough I'm not motivated at all at the moment. I just cant be bothered. I'm not sure whether its because I'm confused with what I want to achieve in life or I have so much going on in my mind that I  can't order what I'm meant to be doing. 
One thing I find helpful is to concentrate on something else for a minute.  Theres on post I need to finish off and thats my goal, once thats complete  I can get onto a new thing. Reading blogs helps too!
8/ Do you have a dream job? If so what? My dream was to be a graphic designer and now I am but I want to be something more now I've reached my goal but I'm not sure  what that is yet? Being a full time blogger and exploring the world sounds pretty awesome though
9/ Something you learnt recently I've learnt that almost everyone you know is putting on a front to what they are really feeling and having to deal with in life. Be nice people! 
10/ If you had to live in a decade other than the current one, which would you choose? I think I would love to experience the 70s/80s just to see how different life was without all the technology we have now.
11/ Finally, What's one life lesson of words of wisdom you love? I've always told myself 'everything happens for a reason' from a very young age and  it has always stuck with me. It keeps me positive as I really think negativity can have a huge impact on your life

That was so much fun! I'm now going to nominate:

Hope

Amanie

House of Lure
Hannah Long
Melissa

Laura Evelyn
Beauty Dreams
Kirsty
Hariette Casey
JoughBloggs

Your questions are:
1/ What would be your dream job?
2/ If you had to wear one thing everyday, what would it be?
3/ What inspires you?
4/ If you go to starbucks etc. What do you order?
5/ Do you have any pets?
6/ If you could be spontaneous right now, what would you do?
7/ Whats your pizza topping?
8/ Favourite artist(s)
9/ 3 funny facts about you?
10/ Whats a bad hait you have?
11/ Whats a staple beauty product you have?

I hope you enjoy the questions have enjoyed reading my answers.
Have a lovely day!

Khrissie x