2019... What a Year You've Been!

2019 has been a very crazy but exciting year, so much has happened.

Starting off with getting engaged on New Years Eve of 2018 not long after the clock struck twelve. It's crazy to think we've been engaged for a year already! 

January - February

I also bought a new car. After having my first little car for three years, I thought that it was about time I had an upgrade. 

After Liam and I sat down and properly worked out our finances, we decided to get married in 2020 instead of 2021. We figured, although it would be a challenge, we could get married and buy our first home in the same year. So, we had done a lot of venue hunting and found the perfect wedding venue which was also well under our budget too! We've had lots of meetings for the wedding - choosing our photographer, florist and hiring stuff.

March - July

We went to Essex for Liam's birthday in March and visited Colchester Zoo which was so much fun! I also drove to the O2 in London to see Olly Murs live for the third time.

I celebrated my 22nd birthday in June and a week later, Liam and I then went on holiday to Tenerife. We did both Siam Park and Loro Park which was so much fun! 

When we got back from holiday, I experienced my first wedding dress shop and I found the dress. I haven't been back for fittings yet, I need to book an appointment soon. I am still trying to lose a little bit of weight before I go for my first fitting. The same day I said yes to the dress, my nanny passed away. We were expecting it but definitely not on the same day as I picked out my wedding dress. So that day was full of emotions!

August - December

After Liam bought me a skydive voucher for my birthday, I actually did it. It's literally the most amazing thing to have ever experienced and if you have the chance to or are thinking about it, put your fears behind you and 100% do it! To end the Summer of 2019, we saw Ed Sheeran live. He's amazing live, I don't know why I haven't wanted to see him before. 

After having four years off ballet from spraining my ankle, I finally went back and I'm loving every minute of it! Me and a couple of the work girls drove up to Birmingham to see Christina Aguilera live. Hands down she is the best artist I have seen live. How she sings like that is beyond me. I had a little struggle with my anxiety and depression too but with supportive family and close friends and even work colleagues, I'm doing alright. I just have to remind myself that I now have so much to look forward to!

How was your 2019? Roll on 2020!

What I Got For Christmas 2019

I can't believe it's this time again, writing up the annual what I got for Christmas post. This Christmas has been a little different from the past. We've had to do it on a budget and spend a set amount on everyone because we're getting married next year as well as buying a house. Liam and I also set a budget for ourselves too, although I did go over his budget and bought him a little more than I should of.

Anyway, here's what I got for Christmas 2019!

I didn't ask for much this year because I really didn't need anything in particular. 

Of course I got my traditional bottle of Malibu for Christmas. If you've read my blog for a few years, you've probably seen it in each years post, which is quite funny. I also got the usual jumpers, underwear, socks, perfume, bath stuff and pyjamas.

I had pointed out these Barbie pyjamas from Primark that I wanted. I'm actually surprised my aunty got her hands on them because they were out of stock in smalls and mediums every time I looked in Primark as well as the one in Birmingham!

Liam's mum put together a Christmas Eve hamper full of pamper stuff, hair products and snacks which was really nice of her. I literally have so much bath and shower stuff, I won't need to buy anything throughout the year. I have some Christmas money to spend but I'm not sure what I'd like to spend it on yet, so I'll save it until I want something. 

What did you get for Christmas?

 

My Favourite Beauty Buys of 2019.

I have tried a lot of new and different beauty products throughout 2019 and as this year is coming to an end, I thought what better way to do a round-up of my faves!?

First off is the ABH brow pomade. I had been wanting to get my hands on an ABH pomade for years but never got round to it. I bought this in the shade 'soft brown' however, it is a couple of shades darker than I would like but I just love how it glides on, the consistency, a little goes a long way and I love how long wearing it is too. Until I order 1 or 2 shades lighter, I will carry on using this!

Another beauty product I've been meaning to buy sooner rather than later is the Nars luminous weightless foundation. Even though it gives you flawless full coverage, it's also super lightweight too. Nothing I hate more than feeling cakey.

This little Burts Bees lipbalm is a gem. I used to use Vaseline before, but I will never go back now! BB lipbalm has been perfect for the colder months recently too. I would love to try out more of their range!

Another beauty staple I discovered this year was this 'Honeylove' lipstick from MAC. I don't like too beigey or pinky nudes but honeylove is literally the perfect nude as it's in-between beige and pink. I use the MAC 'Stripdown' lipliner to go with it too and it's gorgeous.

Moving onto skincare, I have used a number of products from Skin Chemists before and I had got on so well with them, so when I needed a new under-eye serum, that's where I headed. This rose quartz mineral eye serum is pink, shimmery and light. It also absorbs into the skin quickly so you're not left with that annoying sticky residue, like you can get with some moisturisers and face serums.

A new brand for me this year is Nip+Fab. So many people have recommended Nip+Fab so I thought I'd give it a whirl. These two products are my faves. They're super gentle on the skin and you really can feel and notice a difference after using them. I think the prices of their products are fairly reasonable too considering how good they are. 

What are your beauty faves of this year?

A Christmas Beauty Gift Guide

I am so pleased to say that I have done pretty much all of my Christmas shopping. There are just a few things I need to pop out and get but apart from that I am done. I'm surprised that I've finished so early this year, I usually struggle and leave everything super last minute.

Eyeshadow palettes make such great gifts. I fell in love with this Precious Stone Rose Quartz palette from Makeup Revolution. First off, the lid of the palette is covered with a rose gold glitter and when you open it, you have a selection of twenty different shades - glitter and matte & neutral and warm tones. You can't go wrong with this palette because you have such a selection to suit different people. 

For all the Charlotte Tilbury lovers out there, this little gift is fab! The pillow talk lips gift includes their best seller nude-pink matte lipstick as well as a mini lip cheat lip liner. CT says the lipstick and liner is the perfect nude-pink shade to suit and flatter everyone.

Another fab makeup gift is this contour trio from Soap & Glory. Included is the contour shade, highlight and blush. This would also make a great stocking filler!

Sticking with the S&G brand, I came across this face mask kit in Boots. In the box, there are different masks for targeting different areas; a pore-refining mask, a miracle moisture mask, a radiance-boosting mask, two de-clog masks and three under-eye brightening hydrogel patches. I thought this would be lovely as an extra gift and this time of the year is perfect for a little pamper too.

Lastly is Lush goodies. Snow fairy makes a really good gift, I rarely come across anyone that doesn't like it. It's just that delightful, sweet, sugary, candyfloss smell which is perfect for this time of the year! Lush also puts together great little boxes of gifts too, I love this Sweet Christmas one, it includes a pud bath bomb and a candy cane bubble bar - perfect for Christmas!

A December To-Do List

December is here, it's time to finally go out and do all things festive. I worked so much around Christmas last year that I didn't really have much time to do festive bits and bobs. I did most all of my Christmas shopping online and watched two Christmas films. So, I have decided that this year, I am going to slow my crazy life down, take more time for myself, spend precious time with my family and make the most of the festivities.

Visit a Christmas market

I haven't done this very often as Christmas markets are always super busy and it makes me feel claustrophobic and sets my anxiety sky high. However, I would like to properly experience a Christmas market this year. I'll just take my time walking around the stalls with a hot chocolate and take in all the festivity.

Go Ice-Skating

Liam and I went ice skating in Cambridge last year and we had such a good time. I think it was very close to Christmas as well so we felt all festive. We both tried mulled wine for the first time, ya know, to get in the Christmas spirit and we both found it absolutely disgusting - we definitely won't be drinking that again after our skate this year. We will definitely go ice skating again this year, it's such fun!

Do some Christmas shopping in London

I have always wanted to spend a day Christmas shopping in London. London is an absolutely beautiful city anyway, but even more beautiful with all the Christmas lights up. Luckily we don't have too many people to buy for for Christmas. So, we have decided to do some Christmas shopping and go ice-skating in one day. How much more festive can you get?

Watch more festive films

Like I've already mentioned, I worked so much over Christmas last year that I didn't actually have time to de-stress, chill on the sofa and stick a movie on. So, this year, I will watch more Christmas films (particularly Home Alone) and get into the Christmas spirit. 

What are your plans this December?