Monday 30 March 2015

Life goals to Live Happily



I'm 22, I've recently moved to a new city and graduated from university with a 1st class degree. Yet, alongside 1000's of other graduates, I don't know what my next step is but I know my main goal is to maintain a happy life whatever path I take in my private life and in my career. 

Things about me: 

  • I'm a worrier, if there's a situation that could happen, I've already thought of it and 10 other possibilities and the possibilities that come with those possibilities... If that makes sense? 
  • I like to be organised- I write lists, I re-write lists and I make notes of everything.
  • I hate being late and will always take the earlier train or taxi to make sure I'm not.
  • I love a lot, if you're in my life, you're in a for a reason because I want you there and I trust you. I've been hurt like we all have and behind closed doors have lots going on - in my head and reality but it doesn't stop my caring and always giving people a chance
  • I'm optimistic!!! That's the most important one I think. I may worry and fret but I try to always find the sliver lining and bring happiness into my own others days.

A day without smiling is a day lost 
so make sure you take note when something does make your heart flutter or mouth beam

Something I've been worrying and fretting about is the future of my career.
My wise sister once told me 'not to stress about the uncontrollable and focus on the controllable factors in your life.' 
That is my new motto or mantra going forward and theres a easy way to do it!! 

A theory I use to make my life goals achievable, to live a stress free and happier life is to put my goals into different imaginary (or real) categories and boxes. 

My categories at the moment are:

Money 

Career

Body/Health

Relationship

Friends & Family 

The way it works is simple. 
Only have 1 or 2 boxes open at a time. For instance: 
When I moved to Norwich I had the relationship and money box open.  
Relationship: Committing to Mr J by moving in with him.
Money: I managed to bag myself full time permanent job in Norwich with a secured monthly wage.

The above didn't open my Career box because the job role is not in my preferred career path it is a job to pay the bills and save some money. 
Sometimes you have to remember as much as you want to always be forwarding your chosen career actively, you also need to be earning. If I am earning I have the potential to be saving, saving towards new makeup kits, courses, networking events and self advertising this entail will open the career box once my money related goals are achieved. 

Breaking down the different tasks and stresses that occur in everyday life like this means your goals as a whole are essentially halved as you are only focusing on a only few at a time, resulting in a less complicated, more organised and stress free lifestyle. 

This has worked for me like a dream, its made my life goals so much more achievable and has relieved me of stressing about the uncontrollable on a daily basis.
 My light bulb moment came to me with the realisation that you don't have to try to tackle all of your goals, stresses and woes in one weighty task, its overwhelming and unnecessary. 
You can break them down, look at them realistically and individually, with a clearer head you can then endeavour to carefully work your way through your goals in an organised achievable and confident manner. 

The great thing about organising your life this way is you may even end up ticking other boxes with out even realising it. 

Stress, what's stress?

I realise this may not work for everyone, as mentioned I am very much about being organised and feeling safe and calm, for me this is the way to feel like that. Using a box method to arrange my life works for me and my head. Others may need to visually or physically organise which is why I mentioned early you can use literal boxes if it works best for you. Everyone has different ways of doing things and working habits. This has worked for me and I thought it might be worth sharing incase it helps some of you! 

Let me know if you have any other ways of dealing with lives stresses?

Have you tried the box theory? Does it work for you?

If you try this let me know how you get on?!

I'd love to hear your thoughts, comment below or catch up with me on Twitter or Instagram @LivrhMakeup

Thats all for now beauties!

Mucho Love,

Liv 











Sunday 22 March 2015

HighStreet Beauty Haul!



I went shopping, maybe more than once?

It was my birthday this month and I was very lucky to receive some spending money so over the last few weeks I have been in and out of the city trying really hard it's really easy to buy myself some goodies.  
Some of these goodies are repurchases and some I am yet to test out so I am sure you will see more of those ones on here with reviews.

So here's the low down of what I got:

Zara Perfume FEMME: 

This is a miniature roller ball perfume and it is perfect for your handbag especially on nights out or in the summer months when you're a bit conscious. At only £3.99 it's a bargain for the refresh you need through out the day. It is an oriental smell with bergamot, peony, vanilla and musk which makes it warble for day and night!

Super Facialist by Una Brennan: 

This is a new brand to me, one I am very excited to try with many bloggers recommending Una's creams and treatments. 
- Vitamin C Skin Defence Daily Moisturiser: This day cream is meant to act as protection from the sun with SPF in it. It is also meant to give your skin more luminous, radiant and hydrated skin. This is everything I want in a moisturiser. Something I will wake up and put on and make me feel fresh and healthy along side providing a good even skin texture and based for foundation.
- Super Lift Night Cream: This moisturiser is meant to recharge and optimise cellular renewal for a fresh youthful plump skin. Different ingredients such as peptide and apple will help to rejuvenate you skin throughout your sleep. I haven't tried either of these so of yet so I will keep you posted literally.

 L'Oreal Paris:

Le Blush: I have seen lots of reviews of this gorgeous blush range form L'Oreal. I went for the Coral/Peach blush in 160 which I hope will be my new summer must have blush. Even when applied with my finger onto my hand for this swatch it blend with ease. Obviously it is over pigmented here purely because I used a large amount and applied it with my finger so its more packed on than evenly distributed. Nevertheless once applied with a brush I can see real potential in this product.


Infallible Matte Foundation: This is a new release from L'Oreal and I am a big fan of there True Match foundation so I was keen to find out if this foundation was up to the hype. I have seen a few great reviews so far... It is meant to last for 24hrs however I don't intend to wear it for that long so it is not something I will be able to comment on. It says it provides a full coverage with out the cake affect leaving skin looking like skin, I like the sound of that! It is also 'Clinically proven' to be steam and waterproof which sounds fab! I have picked up Vanilla 11 which is the perfect match for me. Again this is a new product for me so stay tuned for my thoughts while I test it out.

Marks and Spencer, Autograph- White Wood Perfume:

Oooo I am in love with this scent. Its new to me and great value £19.50 for 75ml. M&S have gotten on to a great one here. Its a fresh formal scent and perfect for everyday wear.  'A delicate fragrance with notes of oyclamen, orange bloom, magnolia and transparent wood'.  It's hard to describe but go and have a sniff in store, its seriously lovely! I also really like the bottle, it looks enticing on my dressing table, the fresh and crisp white bottle with simple chains wrapped around the neck screams chic and modern. Thats me?!


Soap and Glory Solar Powder Bronzer:



I've seen Lily Pebbles rave about this, repurchase and put her other bronzers in storage; therefore it must be something special. it does look gorgeous with the two lovely tones which don't appear to be too orange toned either (hooray!) meaning will give a sun kissed look but I will also be able to use it to give my face some light and shade and subtle structure for lack of an overused work contour. I am really excited to use this product, I have high hopes that it will be a new favourite in my collection. 


Repurchase! This is just my fav concealer, I've pick it up in shade 1 to use as a under eye bag cover upper. It has fantastic coverage and everyone whose a fan of makeup knows this is the concealer to beat. It would be tough to beat it at a steal only £4.19! 1 thing I think you need to know about this product once applied you do need to work quickly as it sets. This is because they have tried to make it full coverage and transfer proof, which it does both. Just remember to work with the product and blend quickly to move it around. 



This is a cream eyeshadow stick, it is very creamy. It provides easy application and in this rose gold colour is bang on trend at the moment. However, don't let the creaminess of the formula fool you, you need to act quick and get it in place and blended asap because this doesn't budge once it is set! This certainly is crease free and pretty much waterproof, which is always good to bare in mind when taking your makeup off in the evening. It might need an extra cotton pad or wipe. A lovely colour and product nonetheless. Well done again Mossy!


Repurchase, in my opinion Maybelline are the queens of Drug Store mascaras. I buy this waterproof one as a layer in my beauty regime. This is the step straight after curling my lashes. It is important to use a waterproof mascara after you curl. Waterproof mascaras are oil based therefore it will hold the curl normal mascaras are water based so just as your hair would go straight in the rain your eyelashes will with water based mascara. If you don't already have this step in your beauty regime trust me it is soo worth the extra mascara as the results are undeniable. 



This is again essentially a repurchase just in a new colour. I already have about 5 of these and I love there easy wearability, check out my review/recommendation of them in a previous favourites post so I won't repeat myself.
This time a went for Pink Truffle, I think its not quite correctly named I would call it rose truffle. Its a a reddish rosy, brown truffle-like nude and it hasn't let me down. Its gorgeous on and balances with your natural lip colour seemingly!




This is an American Brand and a discovered it when my best friend brought me some goodies back from the USA and introduced me. I've been hooked ever since. The only place I have found it being sold is in Topshop but for a bank breaking £7 FOR A LIP BALM?! Worry not my lovelies! I brought a 5 pack on eBay for £16.95 not only are you then stocked up, but you get a chance to try each flavour/sent and pay 1/2 the price with free delivery! It works out just under £3.50 per lip balm and that's a price I don't mind paying for smooth lips. They are 95% organic & 100% natural. Directions for use are my fav: Twist off top, Pucker up, Smooth on, Smile. Simple easy worth the eBay hunting (or follow the link and don't hunt).

Thats everything. 

Wowzers it's a lot! 

I am one very excited lady eager with anticipation to try the new products I have purchased. 

Eeeee! 
Very excited by the sun and my bulging boots bag
 Any recommendations of new launches I should run back to boots for?
Have you tired an tested anything I am about to try out?

Let me know, I love hearing your thoughts and comments, don't be shy! 

Thats all for now beauties!

Mucho Love, 

Liv

Monday 16 March 2015

Thinking of Luxury Makeup? Think Charlotte Tilbury.



 Makeup Artist to the stars, YouTuber,  Vogues No.1 and Makeup Revolutionist!

This beautiful, inspiring and empowering lady knows a thing or 10 about make up. 

Her makeup may be pricey but I can assure you it's worth it.
 Using the same makeup as the likes of Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, Cara D and practically every other A list model and celebrity on the planet is a pretty cool thought...right? 

Charlotte is the master of the smokey eye and the inventor of the the powerful and alluring yet doable feline flick. She provides us detailed how to guides on her blog and YouTube channel, therefore there is nothing this lady isn't doing which you can't recreate and using the exact products used on the stars. 

This is her makeup revolution and she's inviting women and men all over the world to join her. 


Her makeup is raved about and recently I was lucky enough to receive a present from my best friend Vee, from Victoria Beauty for my birthday from CT's luxury collection of colour coded eyeshadows. 

Luxury Pallette, Fallen Angel 
Sorry I did use it before I photographed it, I just couldn't wait and was going to a party! 
From left to right- 1 Prime, 2 Enhance, 3 Pop, 4 Smoke

How beautifully are these eye shadows presented? The rose gold packaging gives the product such a luxurious feel. With Charlottes name engraved and the sparking, starry case just makes you want to show it off to everyone.

My thoughts on the Shadows:
  • 1 Prime is a barely there glossy golden toned pink pearlescent colour, it is perfect as a base on the eye, highlight on the brow bone or inner conner of the eye or even as a highlight on the high of the cheekbone
  • 2 Enhance is a cool toned antique silver it will literally compliment any eye colour and skin tone. It will work well with warm or cool toned colours being blended into it with ease. 
  • 3 Pop is a Molten metallic bronzy colour, works well blended into the crease with enhance on the lid for an easy and wearable day look with a pop of colour. It will add a chic edge to any eye makeup look by making any eye instantly smokey
  • 4 Smoke is a velvet jet black, it is everything you want in a black eyeshadow and blends perfectly. However, it does have a little bit too much fall out which is slightly messy but ensuing you tap off excess prior to application it isn't a problem
Charlotte also has a tutorial on how to do the perfect smokey eye on her website using this pallet just click here to watch. Or she has made an easy desk to disco image based tutorial...


This combination should lead to something like...
This... I an going to pretend I look like this.







(images are either my own or from the Charlotte Tilbury website)

Let me know if you have any of Charlotte's collection and your thoughts? 

What should I add to my already very long Wish list?

If you have this pallett, do you agree? 

I'd love to hear from you! 

Thats all of now Beauties,

Mucho Love, 

Liv 



Monday 9 March 2015

I'm feeling 22...





March 5th 2015 marks my 22nd year on this planet.

I was lucky enough to get some time off from my day job and have 4 perfect days to enjoy celebrating my birthday with friends family and good food.

Today I am going to share with you i know it's late what I got up to and a selection of the lovely presents I was lucky enough to receive see above picture for presents

My birthday started in the best way possible with a delicious, not to nutritious breakfast of american pancakes with streaky bacon and maple syrup made by lovely Mr J, along side tea and biscuits and present opening. YAY!


Yes is was a scrummy as it looks!!





























Then Mr J & I ventured out on our bikes to a place in Norwich called Whittlingham, and found our 
selves a little bench next to the Norfolk Boards watching the swans swim and the rowers race. We brought with us a little picnic of goodies, sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, cake and prosecco. 



Bottoms upp... -->


 In the evening of my birthday we headed out into the city to a place called The Bicycle Shop for dinner with friends and then to the XBells to meet some more friends for drinks.



Beautiful flowers from a friend
 On Friday, Mr J and I drove back to my hometown of Southampton to see my family and childhood friends. 

Touching my makeup up whilst stuck in traffic!

To my surprise my amazing mum and sister had organised a Chinese feast of homemade pork balls with sweet and sour sauce with sticky sesame seeds and peanuts and spring onion and pea fried rice. My Nana and Grumps and best friend of 20 YEARS were also there which made the meal even more special. It was so delicious and exciting I did forget to take pictures but sometimes it is just nice to put the camera down and enjoy it, which I certainly did! 

On saturday I was reunited with more of my best friends.
Myself,  my mum, sister and two friends, Helen and Victoria- From Victoria Beauty (my gorgeous friend phoebe is poorly and couldn't make it so sending her love and hugs to get better asap!)
We all went for a luxurious afternoon at a local spa, we chilled & caught up on each others lives in the pool, steam room and hot tub before we needed to get showered and dressed for afternoon tea and wine. I was thoroughly spoilt and I have to thank Helen for organising the day! 

It was so indulgent so tasty!
That evening my parents kindly allowed me to have all of my favourite friends and family over for help-your-self style chilli con carne and drinks. Again I didn't take many pictures because I just wanted to catch up with everyone and enjoy my time with them all in the same place!

On Sunday we had a lazy morning drinking coffee and talking about the weekends antics before a lovely early dinner to keep Mr J and I going before the long journey back to Norwich. My mum and Dad as always surpassed themselves with the delicious food they cooked. This time I managed to snap up a few pictures to get your taste buds going...

Lazy morning in my parents beautiful home


Sticky BBQ pork chops with spring vegetables and mini roast potatoes, I'm pretty sure my mum could sell this sauce to the thousands and retire tomorrow, it is THAT good!
Pudding fit for a King!


This is something my mum made up- it's a kind of bread and butter pudding with dark chocolate and marmalade chunks. It doesn't have a name but it was bloody good!!
I am very lucky to have such wonderful family, friends and boyfriend in my life and to be able to make memories with them like I did this weekend is very special and something I intend never to take for granted. There are a few presents which will definitely be appearing on the blog soon in more detail. So keep an eye out. 

Thats all for now beauties.

 Thanks for reading.

Sorry for the picture heavy post again! 

Mucho Love, 

Liv
















Sunday 1 March 2015

Catwalk Highlights: LFW AW15



London Fashion week has come and gone and I present to you a montage of my favourite pieces in from most most admired designers. 

This post is going to be pretty picture heavy but sometimes you don't need to talk fashion to appreciate it.
Here are my favourite catwalk looks for AW15 from LFW.

ENJOY! 
All images from Vogue.

TOPSHOP






BURBERRY PRORSUM / PRE









DKNY




DOLCE & GABBANA





ISSA




MULBERRY / PRE






OSCAR DE LA RENTA 









Beautiful huh? 

What where your favourite catwalk looks? 

This is just a small collection of mine otherwise I don't think this post would end! 

Another fashion week full of beauty and hope. 

That's all for now beauties!

Mucho Love, 

Liv