2015 Favourites | Blogmas Day 25

Firstly, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you all have a lovely day filled with fun and food and spending quality time with family!

As it is the last day of Blogmas I have decided to share with you my favourites from 2015. Not just beauty though! As I tend to do monthly favourites some of these things have already been mentioned on my blog but I hope you enjoy reading this anyway.

Of course Roller Lash was going to be featured in this post! You all know how much I love Roller Lash.  I recently mentioned the Benefit They're Real tinted primer which I am loving more everyday. From my Benefit calendar I've found lots of Benefit products that I definitely want to get my hands on.  One of those being the Watts Up Soft focus highlighter.  I loove it.

I've been uncertain of the Lash Sensational, but I kept trying with it and it is now definitely a firm favourite of mine.  If I apply it right, it makes my eyelashes look so thick and long. 

You will of heard me mention the company Prairie Charms here and I just had to put them in my 2015 favourites as they are the loveliest company.  Their customer service is so so good and well, the products are wonderful.  I'm very glad I've had the chance to purchase products from them and be part of their blogging team and designing the Christmas box. 

If you didn't know, I love musicals.  Like, a lot.  The 'Now That's we Call Musicals' CD is literally perfect for me and I find myself listening to it most days haha.  My all time favourite musical is Billy Elliot.  I love it so much. I spend a lot of my time watching the DVD of it live.  I have seen it 4 times and I would happily go 44 more times, haha.  

I've also beeng loving my L'oreal bronzer which I have mentioned maaany times before on this blog! If you haven't picked it up and are looking for a new bronzer I definitely recommend it,

I know I've only had this estee Lauder eye shadow palette which is from the Makeup Artist Collection set (mentioned in my birthday haul) but it is too lovely for me to not mention. Same with the modern Muse perfume, I've only been using it a month but it is fast becoming my favourite scent. 

Vicktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb perfume is my favourite perfume, closely followed by Calvin Klein Euphoria and Modern Muse! I wear Flowerbomb most days and like the name suggests, its a very sweet and flowery scent.  

I wear Estee Lauder Double wear mostly everyday.  I think I have fiiinally found a foundation that works for me! I have also been loving the Urban Decay Naked Skin Finish concealer.  The coverage is so good and it doesn't go cakey, woo! 

I've also been LOVING Justin Bieber, who would ever have thought that?!

That's all my favourites from 2015 and this will be my last post of 2015! I have finally got to the end of Blogmas (YEEEES) I am sorry I didn't manage to post every single day, but you know, life gets in the way sometimes but lets not turn this into a negative post!
I really hope you have enjoyed what I did manage to post and thank you to everyone who left comments and read my posts.

Lastly, have an amazing day today.  Whatever you end up doing, just make sure you eat lots and everything will be fine!!

See you in 2016 

Jessica 

xx

My Christmas Decorations | Blogmas Day 24

In our house, we have a lot of Christmas decorations up and we have colour themes, but who doesn't right?!  Taking pictures for this post has been much harder than I had expected and they don't look great but I thought I'd share them all with you anyway. 

Our front room is a red/gold/green theme which I really love as it make the room feel all nice and cosy! 

 (spot the dog haha)

In the dining room we have a silver theme and this is where the Christmas Tree goes.  How I wish it was a real tree :( 

There is a on our tree and of course, my mum always has to put the decorations I made when I was like 5 on there, haha.

There are more than just this snowman, but you don't want to see all of those haha

 I'd love to see what some of your decorations look like, send me some on Twitter! (@bird_butterfly1)

There will be another post going up tomorrow and then that will be my last blogmas post! If you count what I've done as blogmas haha. Anyway, see you tomorrow with my favourites from 2015!

Jessica 

xx

Mental Health at Christmas | Blogmas Day 23

I'm a bit nervous about writing this post, but I feel like its something that should be talked about around this time of the year.  I'm only writing from my experiences, people may feel different about it to me, but that's mental health.  I wrote a post on mental health before (here) and it went down well and people seemed to find it helpful. 

I've seen lots of people write a post similar to this which inspired me to do my own.   This is just me writing about my experience with Christmas and mental health.

Living with a mental illness is never easy.  Some days will be ok, others will be awful. Its just the way it is with mental illness.  From experience I struggle with Christmas the most. Its so hard when everyone around you is excited and happy and looking forward to Christmas Day.  I find it hard because most of the time I will be feeling pretty awful and the thought of Christmas Day makes it worse.  I feel pressure to feel ok on the day and act happy in front of my family as to not disappoint them and things.  I'm not saying here that "oh I hate Christmas day, theres so much pressure" No, thats not what I'm saying.  I just find it hard because I want to feel happy and excited, but I just don't.

I was diagnosed with Depression a couple of weeks before Christmas 2 years ago and so I remember that being the worst Christmas.  I was tired and stressed with the medication and my body was getting use to it.  Last Christmas was better. Still hard, but better.  Hopefully this year it will be better still.  I'm not hoping for much though as I feel really pretty crap sitting here writing this, especially after some of the things that have happened this year.

All I try to tell myself is that this will only happen once this year and that if I don't make the most of it I my regret it as things might be completely different this time next year (hopefully not, but a lot can change in a year) Its so hard to not just want to go to bed and sleep through the day, but you can't really.  If you did, you would regret it.  I know I would anyway.

If you're in a similar situation to me this year, with any mental illness not just depression like me, be strong and brave and remember that even if you are feeling crap, at least you are surround by family and friends. Oh, and there is really good music playing haha.

Jessica 

xx

Blogger Love | Blogmas Day 22

Hi lovelies! 

I've never really shared other blogs that I love reading before and I think it is always nice to share the blogger love and let another blogger know that you are really enjoy their blog. 

I've been reading a lot of blogs at the moment so for today's post I have decided to share some of my favourites! 

Aisling's Beauty Bites - I have been loving Aisling's blogmas posts.  She has done a much better job at it than me! Haha.  I find she has a lovely writing style and her pictures always look nice.  Really enjoying this blog at the moment! This is definitely a favourite blog at the moment.

Skinnedcartree - This is blog I've recently discovered through Twitter and I love it.  I really like lifestyle blogs, its a nice change from all beauty.  Corinne shares really useful tips too.

Hannah Delacour - I've been following Hannah's blog since I first started blogging.  I love her blog so much and she is honestly the most lovely person I know.  I love her posts and I find myself checking her blog often to check for new posts haha.  Hannah, if you read this, LOVE YOU!

OliviaCheryl - This is another blog I've recently discovered. (How great is Twitter for finding new blogs!) I love this blog so much and I love the snow falling on it for Christmas, its so cute.  I'm very glad I discovered this blog, its so nice to read.

Amy's Thoughts  - Amy writes such good posts and I feel like they're a bit different to the posts I normally read.  They're written so well too and I love her blog design!

Hannah Gale - I discovered this blog through Aisling and it is fast becoming one of my favourites! I love reading Hannah's posts as I feel her personality really shows through on the blog which is always a good thing.  I don't enjoy reading blogs that show no personality. 

HaySparkle - Blogs with a nice design and nice pictures always catch my eye so Hayley's was definitely going to make me want to read it! Its not just the pictures and design I like about this blog, but her posts are always so good and like others I've mentioned, I love her writing style!

I definitely recommend you go and check out all these lovely people and their blogs!

Let me know what bloggers you're loving at the moment. 

Jessica 

xx

I Will Get Back On Track | Blogmas Day 16

Just going to go right in with this post and admit that I am well and truly in a massive blogging stump at the moment.  I have been for about a week now, hence the no posts and one that I am not happy with, but I wanted to at least post something for you all to read.

I know that numbers and stats aren't important, but when you put lots of effort into something and it doesn't get much of a response it is hard to not be disappointed.  I try and try to ignore numbers, but it  is the thing I struggle with most (with blogging and everything else to be honest haha) Its not like I've had a bad response so I don't know why I've let myself get in such a stump with blogging, but I have! To make me feel even worse I've ended up getting so frustrated with myself for not sticking to blogmas, it makes me feel like a really crap blogger making it even harder for me to come up with blog posts, but there we go. 

I still love having a blog, don't get me wrong, and I'm so grateful for the amount of readers I do have and the amazing friends I've made via this little blog. I just need to remember to not get caught up in stats! I hope some of you can relate to how I feel about this?! 

Aaanyway, I think/hope I am out of this mindset now. I have had some good response to my blogmas posts and gained new readers and that is what is important, right? Its just nice to know that someone out there enjoys reading your tiny part on the internet.  

I have most of my posts planned now until Christmas, but please let me know if there is anything you'd like to read on here! Leave me a comment or tweet me at @bird_butterfly1

Jessica 

xx

P.S sorry this wasn't a very cheery post! 

Top Christmas Films | Blogmas day 5

Christmas films are my probably one of my favourite things about this time of the year.  No matter how I may be feeling they just always seem to cheer me up, its always nice to sit and watch a film when its freezing cold outside with a hot chocolate.  I'm not going to go into details about what they're about as I'm pretty sure most of you will already know them! Here's some of my favourites:

Polar Express

Actual all time favourite Christmas film.  My mum loves it even more than me so this is a film we will watch together every Christmas.  Its just such a lovely film and I love it.

Elf

Everyone I know talks about Elf and how good it is.  I definitely agree, I love it so much.  It just makes me feel so christmassy and it does make me laugh a little! 

Home Alone

This is a film I definitely associate with my Grandad.  He loved it just as much as me. I love the second one as well, but I found the 3rd one rubbish.

Miracle on 34th Street

I still have this on VHS so that is a sign of how old this film is! Haha.  This definitely had to feature in this post as it was the first Christmas film I really remember watching and I loved it. 

The Grinch

I'm pretty sure everyone loves this film! Its just one of those that everyone knows and loves (I think) I watch this film every year without fail. 

That's all for my top favorites. I'm sorry this post doesn't have that much content but I thought it would be nice to share what I love with you all! 

Let me know some of your favorite Christmas films :)

Jessica 

xx

My Morning Skincare Routine | 2015

Hello everyone!

At the moment I have a particular skin care routine for when I get up in the morning that is making my skin so soft and keeping my spots at bay (hopefully it stays like that haha) so I thought I would share it with you all! It doesn't involve that many products, but never the less here it is!

I firstly start off with the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish.  I know you're probably fed up of people saying how good it is, but honestly it is the best product I have ever used and makes my face so clean and fresh.  I use it in the evenings to remove my makeup and it does it SO well.

Occasionally I use the Peaches and Clean Cleansing Milk from Soap and Glory just before the Cleanse and Polish because I just love the smell and it makes my skin really soft haha.

The next thing I use is the Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask.  I only use this once or twice a week as I find that works well for me.  This mask really works well for me and it doesn't dry my skin out which is why I'm always unsure about masks, but this is perfect.  You just leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then wipe away with the sponges included.

While the mask is on I like to use the Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion. I just put some onto a clean cotton wool pad and wipe it over my eyes.  It makes me feel a lot more awake!

Finally, onto moisturiser.  I like to use Simple Kind to Skin Replenishing Moisturiser. I really love this and it really moisturises my skin well (wow great description Jessica).  I do want to get a Liz Earle Moisturiser at one point, but I shall wait until I run out of my Simple one!

So there we have my morning skincare routine! To be honest, it is very similar to my evening routine! Let me know what products you like to use!

Jessica

xx

Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick by Kate

Just a quick little post for you all today, showing you more detail on one of the posts I featured in my June favourites - Rimmel Shadow stick.

This product retails at £4.49 and comes in four differnet shades; Rose Gold (the shade I have), Deep Amethyst, Electric Sapphire and Pure Turquoise. All very pretty colours, I wish they had a few more though!

Unfortunately you can't really see the sparkle in the swatch, but there is a definite sparkle within the eyeshadow.  I also love it even more because of the way it blends SO easily and it stays put on my eyelids all day, what more could you want from an eyeshadow?! 

It works perfectly just by itself, but also looks nice paired with other shades you may want to use! I would definitely recommend this shadow stick, so next time you go looking for new eyeshadow definitely go and check this out!

Jessica

xx

June Favourites | 2015

Firstly, HOW is it already July?! This year is whizzing past and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't scaring me a bit!

Throughout June there have been quite a few products that I have been loving so I am going to share them all with you!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick by Kate - Rose Gold

I am in love with this eyeshadow at the moment.  It is the prettiest colour and I love it with just the Mac Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Mono Blush - Pink Rose

I'm not great with blush and I struggle with finding the right shade for me without looking like a clown, but this one is perfect.  It just gives the prettiest glow on my cheeks. I love it. 

Benefit Roller Lash

I've been using this for a couple of months now and it honestly really is as good as all the reviews say.  I already have quite long eyelashes naturally, but this just adds more to them. 

Estée Lauder Pure Colour Gloss Pen - Nude Coral

I've never bought anything from Estée Lauder before, but the other day when I went to look into Double Wear they did my make up for me and used this lipgloss and I fell in love with it.  I purchased it that day, its so pretty.  The one thing I'm not too keen on though, is the application of it. You have to twist the nib to get it out and I am yet to find the right amount of twists to not get a crazy amount of product out.  I wish it was just the normal lip gloss applicators. However, that doesn't detract from the beautiful colour and sparkle.

Soap and Glory scrub of Your Life

I've never really been one for scrubs but I discovered this in the back of my wardrobe and decided to give it ago and it was the best decision I made! It feels so nice and smells amazing.

Mac Veluxe Pearlfusion shadow: Plumluxe

I've mentioned this in previous posts and this month I have been loving it.  It just adds a really nice sparkle to my eye lids. I'm not sure if there is too much difference in the colours though.

Flower Bomb Viktor and Rolf

This was a Christmas present last year and as it was a brand I had never heard of I was a bit nervous to try it (I like sticking to the perfumes I know and like haha) but I am in love with it.  The reason I have never mentioned it before is because I think it is more of a summer scent *well I like it for summer anyway!* It is also quite expensive so I don't like to wear it every single day.  I'm not even going to attempt to describe the smell because I don't know where to start, sorry about that but I definitely recommend you go and give this a try.

Calm App (relax app)

This is a bit of a different favourite from the rest, but I thought it might be helpful to some of you.  As you might know (blog post here) I suffer from anxiety and so I'm always trying these sort of apps. I'm really loving this one at the moment, it really does help and I like to listen to it when I'm going to slept help me. 

So there you have my monthly favourites! Its quite a long post but I hope you enjoyed reading. 

Let me know what products you have been loving recently. 

Jessica
xx

Maybelline EyeStudio Colour Tattoo 24hr Eye Shadow | Review

Hello again! I thought I would do just a short little review today on the Maybelline Colour Tattoo.

I've heard so many amazing things about the Maybelline EyeStudio Colour Tattoos so I thought it was about time I finally picked one up.  I only bought one as I have never used a cream eye shadow before so I thought it best to get one for now, but I regret not buying another!

I love it.  I got it in Rose Gold and it is just the prettiest colour ever.  It stays on my eyelids all day and doesn't crease or anything.  Its so good as a base for other eyeshadows, but it is also perfect to not put any other eyeshadows with it.

When I next go into Boots I am definitely going to pick up a couple more.  I really love the look of Eternal Gold, but if any of you have any shades you like let me know so I can get those as well! 

Jessica 

xxx

Billy Elliot 10th Anniversary | 12th May 2015

If you didn't already know, I love musicals.  There's just something about them that just really makes me happy! My all time favourite is Billy Elliot.  I think I have a bordering obsession with it, haha. I've seen the show 4 times now and it gets better each time.  The talent of everyone, particularly the children amazes me!

On the 12th May it was their 10th anniversary and I was lucky enough to get tickets before they sold out. The show was incredible.  It was different to that of normal as it was a sort of rally between 6 different Billy Elliot's all swapping throughout the show.

During the interval, the staff handed out to everyone a small bottle of Prosecco or a non-alcoholic version for people who didn't drink.  I think this was a lovely touch and it made the evening more special.

The end of the show featured all of the people that had played Billy Elliot over the 10 years and also all of the ballet girls.  Everyone came onto the stage at the end and it was just an amazing atmosphere.

You weren't allowed to take any pictures so I haven't got a lot to show you, but I'll show you the couple I did take.

I know this isn't the normal sort of post you'd expect, but I hope you enjoyed reading anyway. I just loved the show too much to not share it haha.

Jessca

xxx

Inside My Makeup Bag

I've done a post before on My Everyday Makeup which you can read here, but my makeup has changed quite a bit since I wrote that so I thought I would show you what is currently in my makeup bag (not all of it, as this post would be way too long! Haha)

 My makeup bag is pretty old, but I purchased it from Debenhams.  I really love it because its big enough to fit everything I need in it.

1. Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation- I really love the concealer of this so I thought I would give the foundation a go.  I'm really liking it so far as it gives my skin a nice healthy glow and doesn't look cakey. I'm wanting to get the Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation, but until I do this will do nicely!

2. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder- I love this powder and to be honest I think it will always have a place in my makeup bag!

3. The Body Shop Brush On Bronze- I've had this for quite a while now and I go through phases of using it because its so pigmented (which is good) but I'm rubbish at bronzer, don't know why but I just am haha. I'm currently going through a phase of loving it at the moment! 

4. Maybelline EyeStudio Colour Tattoo 24hr Eye Shadow (Pink Gold)- I love this eyeshadow.  It stays on all day and is just the prettiest colour ever! I really want to buy it in 'Eternal Gold' as well as that looks just as pretty.

5.  Mac Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow: Plumluxe- I normally only wear this eyeshadow if I'm going out somewhere in the evening, but at the moment I'm really loving it for during the day as well.  It just looks so pretty over the Colour Tattoo and you can never go wrong with a bit of glitter on your eyelids!

6. Ted Baker Eye Crayon- Gold- This is another pretty product I love putting all over my eyelids at the moment! Its perfect if I'm in a mad rush and don't have time for blending and using brushes etc.

7. Benefit Roller Lash- AKA best mascara ever.  Need I say more?!

8. Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer- I don't really use this to cover up and blemishes, but its perfect
for under my eyes! It just makes them look so much brighter and cover up those pesky dark circles.

9. Rimmel Colour Rush Balm (Rumour Has It)- I'm really liking this. As it is a balm its so moisturising on my lips, but its really pigmented so it gives a really nice colour.

Thats all of the items in my makeup bag at the moment. I hope you liked this post and let me know any items that are currently in your makeup bag!

Jessica

xxx

Summer 2015 Plans

I'M BACK. My exams are over and all my work is handed in and so I have finished my first year of University! I'm so happy.  There were so many times when I thought I wouldn't make it, but I have and for that I am proud of myself. Whether I pass or not is another story, haha.

Anyway, onto today's post... As I have about 3 months off for summer, I thought I should create some sort of plan or things that I want to do over this time.

1) Run the Race For Life 
I've always wanted to do this and this is year I am going to do it. I am so unfit and will probably just walk the whole way round haha, but as long as I raise money that is all that matters to me! Cancer Research UK is a charity close to my heart so I just want to raise money for them.

2) Spend time with friends
I have a tendency to isolate my self from everyone a lot. I'm not sure if thats just the way I am or because of my mental health, but either way, I do. So this summer my aim is to go out as much as I can face.

3) Have BBQs 
I love BBQs and I just want to have lots of them, depending on the British weather (obviously, haha)

4) Eat more healthily and become fitter 

As I've said, I'm really unfit. So this summer, my aim is to be more carful about what I eat and do more exercise. Being at University, I find it really hard to eat really healthily and find time to exercise, I just can't do it. I hope I'm not the only one that finds that!

(https://unsplash.com)

5) Bake More
Since I'll have plenty of free time, I want to bake more.  I've always loved baking, but since being at University I haven't had the time to really do much.  So this summer, I'm going to make sure I do.

I also just want to be happy.  As long as I'm happy during summer, I don't think it matters what I get up to!

I hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know of what you hope to get up to this summer :)

Jessica

xxx