My Current Makeup Favs | January 2016 ♡

Its a new year, I felt it was time for me to try out some new makeup bits and bobs, so I did! Here are a few new items I have been given or picked up recently that I have been using day to day and loving.

Hope you enjoy ♡

I have been using Rimmel's BB Cream for so long now its just my go to. Recently I decided I wanted a little bit more coverage for nights out or special occasions that wasn't quite as pricey as my favourite Clinique foundation. I decided to try Rimmel's Wake Me Up Anti Fatigue Foundation in the shade Ivory seen as I love the concealer . It is a little dark for me but I love the coverage and it feels really light on the skin when I put my powder over the top.

Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation

I got given this Ted Baker London Lipstick in a gift set for my birthday. As well as the absolutely stunning packaging the product itself is super nice! I got six in the gift set but this one is my favourite.

Its a lovely pop of red shade that isn't completely matte as it has a wee shine to it. I have been wearing this with my new winter coat and orange toned tartan scarf and I feel it goes really well as a splash of colour. Just because christmas isn't here any more nothing beats a festive red lip.

Ted Baker Beauty at Boots

Yes, I am very late to the bandwagon. In December I got my very first Urban Decay Naked Palette and I haven't looked back! I was given the Naked 2 as a present and I have been obsessed ever since. 

The Naked Palette comes with twelve different shades, a mixture of matte and shimmers. The pigmentation in the shadows are perfect, they are amazing to experiment with and I have become a right eye shadow girl. 

These three shade are my most used so far. Half Baked (far left), Chopper  and YDK.

The Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

Ive been getting really into doing my eyebrows. I didn't want to buy a super expensive product as Im just starting out doing them so went for the Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown. I have a fringe so my eyebrows rant too important to me if I'm honest, but I have been getting it cut a wee bittie shorter lately and like having my eyebrows looking nice and tidy. 

Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil

Primer, Im now all about the primer these days. This Loreal Infallible Mattifying Base is amazing. It just goes on to your skin and instantly sinks in, you wouldn't know it was there. Its like silk! Primer is amazing as it keeps your makeup on for that bit longer and also gives you a great base to work from. 

Loreal Paris Infallible Mattifying Primer

These are just some of my favourite new products lately, let me know if you have bought or received any new exciting items for Christmas.

Happy Friday lovelies,

Amy x

Victoria's Secret Sport | January 2016 ♡

I personally love nothing more when Im working out or training than to be wearing some really pretty sports gear that makes you feel good.

Recently I have discovered Victoria's Secret Sport and become so obsessed. It is slightly more pricey so I don't purchase often but as part of their sales this January they had an offer on that was if you bought any sports bra you got a pair of sports trousers absolutely free! How could I pass this offer up?

Head over to www.victoriassecret.com and see some of the amazing sports gear they have.

I picked up the Player Racerback Sport Bra in Chevron Stripe which is one of the most awesome patterns I have every seen! The material is so soft and feels so sturdy when on.

The trousers I picked up are the Knockout Cropped ones with the cool detailing up the leg called Rainbow Graphic. These trousers fit so well, they hold you in in all the right places and are a nice thickness meaning I can wear them in the gym and to outdoor training.

Take a look over at the website, there are honestly so many different choices!

Happy Wednesday,

Amy x

January Blues? Mee too... | January 2016 ♡

So, we all have the Christmas & New Year blues. The decorations are down and the world has a serious lack of sparkle. All we want is to have another holiday even though were only on week two of January. Most of us are in the same boat. I know for one I just cant get back into the swing of things. I thought I would write a wee post on a few things I'm trying to do to get my self back into action and get going with 2016. These things, if you start now, they can be great for all year round in order to feel more organised, relaxed and most importantly, happy.

Start Steady and Plan...

First things first, don't go back to things all guns blazing. In other words, take it easy for the first couple of days. A lot of us sat for a week and didn't do anything in between Christmas and New Year, you have to build yourself up again. What I did was get myself a yearly planner. This will help you plan your days and time. Its great as you can write down everything your attending, everything you need to hand in and when your holidays are so you can countdown the days!! I feel so much more organised when I have things planned and written down.

Speaking of plans, make them! Plan some holidays or events that you can look forward too. Organise meeting friends or family and keep yourself going, I plan to fit as much into 2016 as I possibly can. So far my only free month is September!

I got my planner from Paperchase for just £8, 2016 Planner

Eat Healthy...er

Many of us have the New Years resolution of 'Im going to eat healthy from now on' or 'Diet starts today' and I can bet that the majority of us don't stick to it. Good on you if you do! Ive been saying for the past fortnight that ill eat healthier tomorrow, but Ive had three takeaways in just over a week so its not going quite as planned. Also, not all of us are gym buffs. Heres some tips to get you sorted,

1. Plan your weekly meals. This helps you to know what your going to eat for the week and stops you from being undecisive and popping to the takeaway.

2. Cut out the little snacks. That sneaky biscuit or chocolate from the last lot of celebrations could easily be replaced by some grapes or a chopped up apple which will last must longer. Plus you won't feel so guilty after a sneaky piece of fruit. Don't completely cut it out if you don't want to though, just watch you don't over do things.

3. Drink lots of water. Im sure most of us indulged in a few too many beers or cheeky vodkas over the holidays and your body will much appreciate the welcome break from alcohol. Water is always the best option as its great for you skin. Nothing is wrong with the odd glass of wine or two though ;)

Have a Pamper

Nothing beats a pampering night, am I right ladies? On a night where you have no plans just run yourself a wee bath, or shower if you prefer. Grab your new bath and body products from Christmas, light some candles, relax and freshen yourself up.

Stick on some music, fire on a film or get your teeth into that novel you have been waiting to start since Christmas. I love to paint my nails on nights like these, and sometimes putting on a wee facemask to make the most of it.

Just having time to yourself to chill and relax is always nice. Its something Id recommend you do at least once a week, more often if you like.

Days Out

Even if you don't go far, just get out. Nothing beats hopping in the car and driving somewhere random or even just going for a walk. Wether your on your own or if you go with your family, your partner or friends it can be fun to just have a wee adventure for a couple hours. Myself and Bruce love to take day trips out for lunch or even just for a coffee. It can help you clear your head, think through things and have a laugh.  We visited a beautiful town last Sunday (the picture above) just for an hour or two and I felt so relaxed and happy, its the little things. 

Treat Yourself

The sales are still on. Feeling a little glum, then treat yourself to something, even if its totally random. You can splurge on some clothes or makeup, or buy some new books or music, or even just treating yourself to something you have had your eye on for a while. I got an ITunes voucher for Christmas and looking through music and buying some albums that I've been really excited about totally cheered me up. The music has also helped me feel more motivated to do work and to tidy the house which was so needing done.  I also picked up a new coat in the sales which I have been searching for since October. Im telling you its the little things that will make the blues drift away.

Anything else you guys can think of to beat these January Blues leave a comment below. Just think, 2016 isn't going to be your year unless you go out and grab it by the balls! Try out some of the things Ive suggested too as I bet they will help you feel so much better.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend,

Amy x

Ellie Goulding for MAC | January 2016 ♡

Ellie Goulding is one of my favourite artists ever. Her music is so unique with lyrics and a voice that send me into an almost trance when I listen to her. I also just find her completely and utterly stunning!  Just before Christmas Ellie released a collection for MAC and as a complete newbie to MAC I thought her collection would be the perfect place to start.

Her collection is aimed at two of her looks, an effortless natural look for daytime and a sexy bombshell look for the evening. All the packaging is black with Rose Gold writing and logos which is so beautiful.

Ive only purchased one item from the collection so far but I will tell you about the collection as a whole as I cant wait to pick up some more from it.

I picked up one of the lipsticks which she has brought out in two shades Only You and Without Your Love. I have Only You which is a pinky

Without Your Love (Left) and Only You (Right) 

She also has two Patent Polish Lip Pencils in Innocent and Revved Up and two Plushglass glosses in Explosion and Goodness Gracious. They are all very pinky pretty shades which is what most of the  collection is based around.

The Halcyon Days and Halcyon Night's Palettes are stunning to look at. Each palette has four smaller shades and when you lift them a fifth shade in underneath. Halcyon Days is much cooler shades perfect for daytime looks with Halcyon Nights being more shimmery and slightly darker for a more dramatic look. The Halcyon Nights palette is what I plan to purchase next.

Halcyon Night (Left) and Halcyon Days (Right)

Ellie has released a two in one mascara called Haute & Naughty which is a dark black along with a fluidline in Blacktrack. She has also added a brow liner in Veluxe to the collection, more for lighter hair shades.

The collection also includes Lustre Drops in Pink Rebel, perfect for pretty pink cheeks and a powered blush called I'll Hold My Breath which includes a lovely peachy blush with warm bronze to go with
it.

There are three makeup brushes within the collection, the 209 Eyeliner brush, the 129 Powder/Blush brush and the 217 Blending brush.

Finally to the collection, Ellie has released some lashes which look super cool!

Buy the collection here ♡

Im so excited to collect some more of the bits from the collection, everything is just so pretty and pinky and perfect! :)

Thank you guys for reading, let me know if you have any of the products above or if your fancying buying some of them. Have a good Tuesday!

Amy x

Farewell 2015 | January 2016 ♡

Well, hello 2016. Where on earth did you suddenly appear from! I hope each of you brought in the New Year just the way you wanted too. I spent it celebrating with my friends and family and at 12 midnight I turned 22! I feel like I've officially hit the grown up stage!

Me at the Giants Causeway, October 2015

2015 was personally a very difficult year. Durning the last five months I saw my beautiful mum get diagnosed and sadly pass away from cancer, as quickly as that. I miss her every single day and will do for the rest of my days.

Although this year was tough, I kept busy and had a lot of highs.

I went to two beautiful weddings of some of my closest friends and several fantastic gigs including The Shires, Take That, Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, AC/DC and loads more. I also attended two fabulous festivals, Gentleman of the Road and Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. I even got taken to my first ever Rugby match which has been something Ive wanted to do all my life. It was absolutely fantastic!

Ireland holds a special place in my heart this year. I spent my birthday at the beginning of the year in Dublin, celebrating my 21st and in October, myself and Bruce returned to Ireland and spent our time exploring Belfast. I absolutely love Ireland and we plan to return this year again.

The ladies Shinty Team took part in our first ever competitive season. It was the most fun Ive ever had for a long time. The laughs! We didn't come last either, Im so proud of us!

I started University! Its been an aim of mine since I left school. I started a course that I cant wait to properly sink my teeth into this year.

I got my first proper grown up job and I absolutely love it. Im following in my mams footsteps and could not be enjoying it more.

This year I have made it a promise to myself and of course to my mum that I am going to work harder than I ever have before, at University, with my hobbies and at my job. This year my head will stay down and I shall power on through with the hope that I can finally achieve some amazing things. I have a lot of exciting things planned for 2016 and I hope you all have some awesome things planned too, let me know below.

Thank you for reading lovelies and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bring on 2016...

Amy x