2015s Top Travel Destinations

OK people. Leave London, Paris and New York aside. You can visit those at any point in your life. Here are my 20 most sought after destinations of 2015. These are not only the locations that I personally want to go to, but some of these destinations are getting much hype in the up and coming months. Book tickets while you can, I expect everybody will be on the bandwagon by next year! And seeing as this is the busiest two weeks of the year to book a trip, you might need some last minute inspo. Let's begin ...

Europe

Berlin, Germany There's something about Berlin, a newly reunited city that was once split in two, it has risen out of the ashes o WWII and completely reinvented itself. The street style in Berlin is truly edgy and cool, much in the way of khaki and leather, what's not to love? Museum Island is not to be missed, and all of the history surrounding Berlin is truly unique. It also happens to be one of the best cities in Europe for nightlife and drinking, this year being the 65th anniversary of Oktoberfest in Berlin, beer anybody?

 

 

 

 
Stockholm, Sweden I absolutely love the idea of Stockholm. Scandinavian chic all the way. It's a city which consists of loads of tiny islands and some seriously cool people. If you're looking for some Viking-esque history and incredibly beautiful people, Stockholm is the place to be. Not to mention that I hear it has some of the best undiscovered food in Europe and tonnes of great shopping.

 

Prague, Czech Republic This is the one place on my list that I have actually been too and I can vouch that in summer or in winter, Prague is like a picturesque Eastern European fairytale. It was one of the cities that was left relatively unscathed by WWII (talking about architecture only) but it has been left with some scars over the past century or so. Only rising out of communism 25 years ago, this city is incredible. The castle is over 1000 years old and there is surprising beauty around every corner (as well as the biggest nightclub in Europe!) Check out my Prague blog here.

 

Milan, Italy This year Milan is the host of the expo 2015. There will be fairgrounds, special exhibitions and FOOD. There will be tons of new, tasty food to try out. What more could you ask for? Milan is spectacular all year round, it's Italy's capital of style. Take in the Gothic architecture and of course, all the works of art there!

Bath, UK Although Britain has many beautiful cities and more history than it knows what to do with, I'm not really sure that any city can compete with Bath. It has one of the world's most well looked after Roman bathhouses and loads of stunning Georgian architecture. Plus the cobbled streets are littered with many cute coffee shops for you to sit back and people watch in.
 

 

Norway. Do you wanna build a snowman?! You guessed it! Frozen is based in Norway, and everyone loves Frozen, right? But in all seriousness, Norway is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. All right, it's not particularly warm, but it has spectacular views that you can only dream of. Breathtaking fjords, fantastic hikes and the Northern Lights if you're lucky! Oslo is also one of the most chilled-out capitals and everyone is so friendly.

 

Malta. A Mediterranean paradise island. The capital of Valletta has over 500 years of history into such a small space! The streets of Valletta pack in cathedrals, palaces and wonderful views of the harbour. This place has the best parts of a city break and a summer holiday all in one!

 


Croatia This one is for all of my Game of Thrones fans out there (including me). Croatia is seriously stunning, if you fancy kicking it back in King's Landing, head on over to Dubrovnik to make your fantasies of the show come true. Croatia is the new Greece in sense that it's 'another day, another island'. I love the idea that it's towns are all walled-in and alleyways have hundreds of stone steps, not to mention the iridescent blue of the Adriatic sea. I'll be seeing you soon, Croatia!
 

Other Adriatic Locations Although beautiful, Croatia has become insanely expensive this year compared to recent years Joining the EU really helped them out as they have caught on that they are a top holiday destination now. BUT if you fancy Adriatic beauty without the ridiculous pricetag, head on over to the neighbouring countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro. Both stunning, both quiet, both are not to be missed. Bet you didn't know how beautiful they were, right?

 

North America

Toronto, Canada Everyone goes to New York, but not everyone experiences Toronto, now THE most multiculturally diverse city in the world. Yes, you read that right, Toronto. It has a skyline to envy all major cities and neighbourhoods with residents from all over the globe. Here you'll experience more cultures, foods, flowers, shopping than ever before. Plus, Niagra Falls is only a day trip away if you fancy some natural beauty.

 

Washington D.C, USA The capital of the United States is set to be a huge tourist destination over the upcoming years. With more monuments and memorials than people (not really, but you know what I mean), there's always something to discover in DC. Check out the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and a Mall like you've never experienced before. Plus loads of great legendary home-grown eateries and used book stores to lose yourself in.

 

New Orleans, USA New Orleans is a place which has forever been a dream of mine. There's something about the infusion of the Deep South, France, Britain and Jazz that has attracted me (and the seafood). Embrace the cultures, take a stroll along the river and enjoy the sunshine.

 

Cuba. Cuba is making history at the moment, and what comes soon after that? Tourists. Reduced travel restrictions make it easier than ever to visit this beautiful, colourful Caribbean location. Spend time wandering the streets of Havana, or chill out on the beach. Cuba has it all. Not to mention that it's the 500th anniversary of Santiago de Cuba, which means a week long carnival in July!
 

South America

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil I'm just going to say it, you are never going to catch this city at a better time than the next two years. Directly in between hosting the World Cup and the Olympic Games, Rio has had some serious impact on the globe. From it's glorious mountains to it's controversial beaches, it really is a city of understated beauty. This city was made to be explored.
 

Asia

Vietnam Fancy Thailand this year? Try Vietnam instead, equally exotic and extraordinary just without as many tourists (and ladyboys). Vietnam has some breath taking natural beauty in its mountains, beaches, forests and rivers. The river cruises are apparently unmissable. And Thai food should envy Vietnamese food, it's that good.

 

Oman No, I'm serious. I've heard so much speculation about Oman becoming a top destination in the near future and my advice is get there and experience it the way it is while you can. Although Abu Dhabi and Dubai are amazing and unmissable, they don't really represent the true Arabian country anymore as it seems the cities are fuelled by wealth, and if I do say so, greed. Whereas Oman is still as it always was as lonely planet says 'Oman is the perfect destination for those seeking out the modern face of Arabia while still wanting to sense its ancient soul'.

 

Singapore One of the world's smallest countries, with one of the world's best airports. Singapore is seen as a gateway to the east for many European travellers. It merges the best of the Asian and Western cultures into one incredible city/country. Singapore zoo has been picked as one of the world's best and the botanical gardens and the nature reserve are a great way of escaping the buzz of the city.

 

Indonesia Indonesia has thousands of islands, hundreds of languages spoken and the most incredible scenery all in one county. With beaches and volcanoes to visit, Indonesia certainly isn't short of things to do or places to go. Plus Bali is a hugely sought after destination right now, experience it while you can.

Australasia

New Zealand Now that the Hobbit trilogy is officially over (I'm all right, I swear), there has never been a better time to visit New Zealand. It's a country where both English and Australian natives can find themselves at home, although in unfamiliar territory. One of my cousins went to New Zealand 10 years ago and never looked back. Why would he? With such breath taking scenery and welcoming people, I can see why New Zealand is well loved.

 

Africa

Gambia Once again, I'm serious. Despite The Gambia being Africa's smallest country, it is most certainly making an impact on the tourism market. 5* resorts on gorgeous Atlantic beaches are emerging amongst the wildlife life parks out there. It appears to be the perfect way to ease yourself into the African culture, and heat. The markets and nature are out of this world.

 

 

 

 

So there are my top 20 destinations of 2015. Yes, they are a little different and off the beaten track, but, I can bet that these will be the places that everyone will be raving about in a few years. Croatia might be the next Santorini, Singapore the next Bangkok ... you never know. If you have been to any of these places let me know if you enjoyed them in the comments, or even if you're going this year. I'd love to know about everyone's adventures.

Happy travelling

CJ x

 

 

 

Disclaimer: none of these pictures are my own. I wish they were though.

Everyday thoughts of somebody in their 20s.

This isn't the most exciting of blogposts, but have you ever just completely lost your train of thought because you're too busy thinking about insignificant things? And then you sit there and wonder how many other people are thinking the same thing. No? Just me? OK, well anyway, here are my thoughts in one day, I hope you all think the same things:

1. WHY is it so cold? And dark? And early? I want to go back to bed.

2. Do I have time for breakfast? Probably not. I should have got out of bed earlier.

3. It's not acceptable to wear yoga pants to uni twice in one week is it?

4. Aaaaand now I'm late. Great.

5. Excuse me Mr 9 year old Audi. Just because you're wearing a suit and drive a slightly better car does not mean the motorway belongs to you.

6. Bitch took my parking space. 

7. I have no idea what the fuck is going on.

8. I'm hungry.

9. I probably shouldn't be on instagram. I should be listening to this guy talk about ministerial respons...

10. Why does SHE have abs? She doesn't even deserve them.

11. Was I singing that out loud?

12. Did she get dressed in the dark or is wearing leggings as pants intentional?

13. I hope people don't judge me this much.

14. Men should not wear pants that tight and sit like that. I can see the outline of his balls.

15. I wonder how many people would notice if I left early.

16. Oh but of course I can't leave early because I'll be criticized for being lazy.

17. Wait, what did I miss? Everyone's writing something, shit.

18. Food. Food. Food. Food. Food.

19. That looks awful but smells so good.

20. Ofcourse if I buy food I can't buy a starbucks...

21. Coffee is more important.

22. Ok, let's look at my to do list. It can't be that bad.

23. How do I still have 17 chapters left to read? I just read 2 whole chapters, not possible. Fuck that.

24. I REALLY need to go to the gym tonight.

25. Then again, I haven't been in 3 weeks so I guess another day won't make a difference.

26. But I can't go tomorrow because I have work. Fucking work, why does it exist?

27. Whoa, how did I get half way through my chapter yet none of it's gone in? I don't know how I feel about that.

28. This subject shouldn't even exist.

29. Nobody gives a shit about your boyfriend.

30. HOME TIME.

31. Hehe I just saw the man in the car next to me pick his nose.

32. I just got from chester to warrington in 30 mins. I don't know if I'm proud or ashamed.

33. I smell food, but I don't see food. My household has betrayed me.

34. I want new clothes.

35. Why is sports luxe even a thing? Surely nobody looks good in it.

36. Dr Pepper, whats the worst that can happen? I'll get fat, that's what. But it's so good.

37. Let's go to the gym so I can wear my new workout clothes

38. Stop looking at me while I run. Gym creep.

39. She's got a nice bum. I'm going to go on that machine next so mine looks like that.

40. It's ok, nobody saw me fall over *silently cry and limp out of sight*

41. NO. Wearing a normal bra under a sports bra is unnecessary and not ok.

42. I'm so excited for Friday

43. Oh look, somebody's fucked me over yet again. Shocker.

44. I wish I tried harder at school, then I'd be doing a maths degree.

45. Then again, what would one do with a maths degree?

46. Who the fuck says one?!

47. *Leaves the gym* I'm hungry.

48. It's too late for a shower now. I'll have to have one in the morning.

49. Which means I should probably go to bed now.

50. Look at my nails, I can't even deal

51. I'm such a bad excuse for a girl.

52. I'M SO PALE.

53. Should I really be putting fake tan on at midnight?

54. And now I can't sleep :(

55. I'm hungry


If anybody else has these thoughts or similar please let me know so I feel less of a weirdo. It dawned on me just how much I stray off topic and how strange some of my thoughts really were. So yesterday I wrote them all down in a notebook and this is the result. To all similar thinkers out there - Yes. We are awful human beings
CJ x

How to Stay/Get Organised

Let's talk about organisation.
I know there are thousands of you that just don't know how to keep up on tasks, or even how to tackle them to begin with. I used to be one of those people, I never used to do anything and I would always be late for things. Being disorganised would lead to me being so stressed out and I just felt frustrated and busy a lot of the time. But now, I'd say I'm quite an organised person, borderline obsessively organised person.
I'm not claiming to be perfect in any way, I do still drop the ball on a few tasks and I still leave things till the last minute! But my tasks are much more manageable when I stick to my system. Everything has a place and there's a place for everything so to say (although my bedroom is still a mess, but we can ignore that).
In the way of work, or makeup or clothes. My stuff is sorted out just the way I like it and I always know what I have to do. Therefore, I have devised some tips to help you manage tasks more efficiently too!

1. To do lists
I have to have a to-do list at all times. And although it constantly has 20 things on it, I still feel so much better for having it. I even have to-do lists for different areas of my life. I have a University list (sigh, my longest one), a general life list - which reminds me, I need to put windscreen wash in my car! - and a travel list so I know what needs doing before my next trip. You can either write these down in a notebook (my next point), grab yourself a memo or sticky notes pad, or download one of the list apps - these can even sync to your emails and let you know your deadlines! It also helps to have a little memo pad lying around to write these lists on! 


2. Notebook
This is something that I have only recently used religiously, I bought a nice new paperchase one just to motivate me to use it more. In here I have more lists - upcoming blogposts, places I want to see on my next trip, makeup I need to try etc. It's a really good way of having all of your thoughts and ideas in one place so you don't forget them!

3. Diary
I have always loved having a planner for school/college/university. I also put any birthdays I may forget in there. Not only are my deadlines in my diary. but I put in reminders for the week before just so I'm sure I won't forget! If it's possible, write your academic timetable or your work's rota in your diary too and put any extras in there as well.

Notebook, Diary and Memo Pad all from paperchase

4. Colour code
These are two words that I absolutely live by. Pretty much everything in my life is either colour coded, or it's organised by colour in some way. All of my modules at university have a coloured folder and I write my notes down for each topic corresponding to that colour. That way, when it comes to revision, I can easily know what I need. My lipsticks and even my to do lists are colour coded too.  (I know, I'm a little insane)

5. Separate.
An extension of my last point would be to separate chunks of things. This means have a different folder for every subject at school. Organise your wardrobe so that summer clothes are on one side and winter on another. If you can't do that, put coats and jackets in one place, then jumpers, tops, pants, skirts, dresses, playsuits and accessories all following.

Multicoloured folders £2.99 each at whsmith

6. Tackle the most difficult/most urgent task first
Say you have about 20 things to do for school, and one of them is reading a 60 page chapter, and it takes you forever to read. Do that task first. If you don't, finishing the other tasks won't be as satisfying as you still have that pain lingering over you.

7. Break up tasks into manageable parts
For my music exams, I have to learn 3 classical pieces. I should be able to go from terrible to confident in around 100-150 plays. However, I'm not going to sit down a few nights before an exam and play a piece 100 times. I usually like to break it up into either 20 plays a week or 5 plays a day. With each day, I see an improvement. Life is a marathon, not a sprint!

8. Don't hoard
This covers quite a few areas. My grandma is a massive hoarder. She has all of my dads old schoolbooks and wanted to keep mine too, but there were just too many and I had to keep them. Once you are finished with something, don't hold on to it! If you got an A in your first maths exam, you don't need your core 1 past papers any more. If you've lost a bit of weight, you don't need your bigger clothes any more. Once you've finished a product, you need to throw it away, no matter how pretty the bottle is (this is tough for me personally).

9. Make note of other people's routines
This isn't absolutely necessary but I find it helps me a lot with my work. Just because you are organised doesn't mean that other people are, or even, you could double book yourself. You need to know who can help you out in that situation. You don't have to religiously memorise what others are doing, but just take notice of when people are in university or work.

10. Reward yourself and make time to relax
Not to be confused with procrastination, it's important to make time for yourself too. If all you think about is how much work you're going to have to do, then you're going to stress. You need to reward yourself for doing these tasks. My favourite is if I read a chapter of one of my law books, then I can read a chapter of a fictional book. Or if I get all of my seminar prep done, then I can reward myself with a bath instead of a shower. And of course, new shoes every time I get an essay finished.

There are 10 tips to help you get or stay organised! I'm not saying you have to do all of these things to be organised, but these definitely help me out! These are just general tips that can be transferred into any area of life but if you'd like me to do specific organisational tips on work, finances, home or your mind, let me know and I would be happy to do so!
Happy organising!
CJ x

2014 Favourites!

Hello everybody!
 I am so, so excited to be doing my first ever yearly favourites. I have decided to tell you my top finds of 2014. All of these products have either been discovered in 2014 or I have only bought them in 2014. Without further adue, these are my top contenders:

Makeup

Palettes
- This has to go to Urban Decay. I bought their Naked and Naked 3 eyeshadow palettes this year and they are my life. I wear them pretty much every single day and with 12 colours in each palette to choose from, you can't go wrong. Thought I'd give a sneaky mention of their all-in-one Naked on the Run palette too. 6 eyeshadows, bronzer, blusher, eyeliner, mascara AND a lipgloss, this really is the perfect palette for those 5 minutes to get ready days! Honourary mention would be the NARSissist Palette (if that's how you spell it) Laguna, Orgasm and a highlight all in one. Perfect for travel.

Primer
- this HAS to go to the Body Shop's Instablur primer. I used to be a loyal user of Benefit's Porefessional, which I still use from time to time, but the Body Shop have really succeeded with this primer. It's amazing and keeps my makeup on all day long, even if it does have a strange consistency.

Foundation
- This year's discovery has been the Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation, I normally wear Max Factor but it was the 3-in-1 Perfection one and I just found it a bit too heavy. The Luminizer really adds some brightness back into your skin and makes you look dewy without being shiny, it's perfect for winter in my opinion.

Concealer
- Goes to Benefit's Boi-ing. This stuff is great, it covers up, adds brightness, doesn't crease, lasts forever and there's not much else I can say except you need to try this.

Bronzer/Blusher
I discovered Nars Laguna and Orgasm in 2014, and honestly, nothing else I have tried since has compared to these. Laguna adds just the right amount of bronzeness and is great for contouring and Orgasm is the perfect shade of peachy pink with shimmer to last you all year round. P.S. they're super long lasting too! Laguna lasts me about 6-8 months because I wear a lot of bronzer and I've had Orgasm for over a year and have only just hit pan on it.

Eyeliner
- Has to be the Topshop Magic Liner. It's so easy to apply, it lasts a really long time and it's super black. It's really helped me improved my eyeliner game.

Highlight
- It was going to the Benefit High Beam, however I feel that it's a bit too heavy duty. A fantastic daytime subtle highlight is the Benefit Watt's Up (a great dupe is the Topshop Glow Stick), it's such a gorgeous shade of champagne you can wear it at any time.

Lipliner
MAC Subculture is the winner for me. While everyone is out buying Whirl trying to get the perfect Kylie Jenner lips, I find that Subculture is a fantastic alternative - and much easier to get hold of! It's the perfect pinky, browny nude for my skin tone.

Lipstick
A draw between MAC Honeylove (another great alternative to get the Kylie Jenner lips - velvet teddy is still out of stock everywhere I look) and Charlotte Tilbury's Glastonberry. I am a loyal MAC lipstick lover but I have to say that the formula of C Tils' Matte Revolution Lipsticks are unlike any other I've tried before. They are so pigmented, not drying on the lips and last forever!

Drugstore
Maybelline Colour Tattoos. These are such a good dupe for MACs paint pots! Even though their colour selection is limited, I still prefer the drugstore versions. My personal favourites are On and On Bronze (which looks amazing under a smokey eye using the Naked Palette), Metallic Pomegranate which is a perfect cranberry colour and Pink Gold. There are some brilliant matte colours too.

 

 

 

 

Skin/Hair/Nails/Scent

Makeup Remover
Garnier Micellar Water - this is a product that I can no longer live without. Pour a small amount onto a cotton pad, press against your eye for 10 - 20 seconds and your makeup just melts away. This is an alternative to Bioderma (which I'm yet to try, I promise I will be doing soon though!). It helps your makeup come off so easily and it doesn't spread it around your face the way a makeup wipe would. It's really helped improve my complexion too. Check out my review here.

Night Cream
The Body Shop Tea Tree Night Serum. Another product that has changed my skin for the better. Applying this before I go to bed has become a habit. It helps with those suffering from an uneven skintone or acne scarring.

Lip Balm
EOS  - love these. I'm a sufferer of extremely dry lips and I honestly don't know what I'd do without an army of lipbalms. I literally have them everywhere.

Haircare
What my two previous favourites did for my skin, Garnier's Ultimate Blends Hair Oil did for my hair. I had a chin-length bob back in 2013 and my hair stayed shoulder lengthed from September 2013 all the way to around March 2014. However, after I discovered this stuff in October, my hair grew so much! It's not overly long, but it's growing at a much faster rate than normal. It makes my hair feel super silky and smooth - and my ends always need a bit of a repair.

Hair Appliance
I'm in love with my GHDs. They're my first pair, they do an excellent job of styling my hair without burning it, they heat up and cool down in seconds and they're such a beautiful rose gold colour.

Nails
Picking a favourite nail polish was a really difficult task because I discovered Essie and Ciate this year and I really couldn't decide. I finally came to a conclusion and it goes to ....... Essie's Bahama Mama! It's such a beautiful dark red/purple colour and you can wear it pretty much all year round. The name is awesome too.

Frangrance
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is my signature scent now. My boyfriend wears Spice Bomb all the time and the two just coincide perfectly together (obviously). It is a little heavy as a day time scent, but it smells so good!

 

Other

Books
The Fault in Our Stars and Girl Online. Both brilliant. The Fault in Our Stars was a real cult classic last year, especially with the film coming out and it did not disappoint! It was so beautifully written and a really lovely story. Girl Online is the long awaited novel by Zoe Sugg (Zoella) and I was really impressed! I read this on my way and coming back from Prague and I really enjoyed the story.

Candle
Yankee Candle in Candy Corn. Every time. Need I say any more?

Place
My favourite place of the year has to be London, it was the first time I'd ever been and I want to go back at least once a year from now on! I love the pace, the underground, the shopping, the diversity and everything about it Check out my London blog here. Prague came in as a close second as it looks as if it's in a fairytale but it just couldn't beat London. Check out my Prague blog here.

Congratulations if you stuck with me till the end of this blog! I know it was extremely long but it's been long awaited. It took me forever to decide what the winners were but I got there in the end. Let me know your favourite products of 2014 and I'll be happy to give them a try!
CJ x

The Soap and Glory THE NEXT BIG THING Box

Hello all!
As always, Soap and Glory brought out a limited edition box set for Christmas 2014 and I must say, this year's was bigger and better than ever before. At only £29 this box included 10 full-sized products with a total value of over £70!
I was lucky enough to receive this as a Christmas present, but I was considering buying this for myself. This product is STILL AVAILABLE for only £30! I would get it while you can as it's such amazing value and all of the products really are worth getting. Find it here

 

 

 

First up is the Orangeasm Body Wash (£6.50). This is a product that I've never tried before, but I'm not new to Soap and Glory body washes as I'm a sucker for Clean on Me. However, the Orangeasm is completely different! The scent really does make you feel revitalised and energetic so I really love using this if I'm showering in the morning. Scented with fresh green mandarin, Sicilian lemon and orange peel, this wash really does smell and feel fresh and energising.

Next is the Whipped Clean Shower Butter (£7). This really is a 2-in-1 product, it doubles up as a shower gel and a body butter! It goes on like a cream (or a butter) and then bubbles up slightly as you massage it into your skin. This has the typical Soap and Glory scent (which I adore) of pistachio, almonds and sweet vanilla. If you don't always have time to moisturize, this is the product for you!

If you do have time to moisturize however, there are products for that too! I found the Butter Yourself Moisture Lotion (£10) really unique (albeit hard to get out) as it has a pump. This stuff has a really creamy and buttery texture, a little like the Righteous Butter but with a more citrusy scent. I can see this really working well with the Orangeasm wash as the fragrances are quite similar. This has shea butter and orange waterjuice in it as well as almond, mango and moringa oils and it leaves your skin feeling super soft.

More in the way of body butters is my personal favourite one to use; The Righteous Butter (£10.50). I love using this after Clean on Me as it's the same signature scent that is just to die for. This formula is for extremely dry skin so it's super nourishing and leaves your skin softer than the others (but it does take longer to dry). This is the ultimate pamper evening butter in my house.

A real cult favourite seems to be the Sugar Crush Body Scrub (£8) and having tried a few of Soap and Glory's scrubs, this one definitely reduces the roughness of skin the easiest, I'm not overly fond of the scent as it seems a bit overpowering but I can see why other people love it as it is a nice smell. It has brown sugar, sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains and a little really does go a long way with this product.

Next is the Heel Genius Foot Cream (£5.50) which I swear by! If you walk, exercise or wear heels a lot, this stuff is a life saviour! It leaves your heels (and the rest of your feet) feeling really soft and smooth even if they were previously cracked. Use this once or twice a week to keep that feeling, it's recommended to use it every night or as often as you can remember on the tube, but once again, a little goes a long way! It has macadamia oil, menthol (which you can get the hint of in the smell, and I also hear helps sooth colds?!) and bilberry, orange and lemon fruit acid smoothers. I was over the moon to find this product in the box as I love having spares of it!

A product that's always raved about in magazines and reviews is the Hand Dream Super Cream (£7). This is a definite winter staple if you're getting these cold months! It helps dry, cracked hands feel super moisturised and evens out skin tone (which I have noticed as my veins are certainly less purple). Enriched with macadamia and shea butter to give it that signature scent.

I'm not much of a makeup wipe user, however I am really impressed with the Off Your Face purifying cloths (£4,50). At a first glance, I thought it was a little expensive for 25 wipes but I've been using them after removing my makeup as they are a 3-in-1 cleanser, toner and moisturizer and even exfoliator if you apply enough pressure. They are meant to be pore minimizing and help prevent blackhead build up so I will report back on this! They're also currently on offer at boots for £3.60!

Two things that I've heard so much about in the blogging world and I've been dying to try are the Thick and Fast Mascara and the Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Lacquer (in Charm Offensive). First of all, the Mascara (£10) is in my opinion, one of the best drugstore mascaras I have ever tried. There are a few variations of this including a collagen coat and a lengthening one. The original is super volumizing and really makes your lashes look longer and fuller - a definite repurchase. Secondly, the Lipgloss (£7) is a real 'my lips but better' (and shinier) colour. I felt a slight tingling sensation when I applied it but didn't notice much in the way of plumping, however it really is a lovely product. It comes off easily, but then again, it is lipgloss!

Even though I am already a loyal Soap and Glory user, I am really impressed with the quality, quantity and price of this box! I have never used the majority of these products before and I will be repurchasing a few of them! Also, I am new to Soap and Glory makeup and I already love it, I will certainly be buying more so let me know of any recommendations!
CJ x

 

November/December Favourites

Apologies for the delay in this blogpost, I've just been so busy these last few weeks! I didn't try many new things throughout November and December so I thought I would put everything together in one favourites post as many of my monthly favourites from November carried on.

Beauty

Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick - Glastonberry. This is possibly my most favourite lipstick of the year. The formula of these are incredible.

MAC Lipstick - Up the Amp

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Tigi Bed Head After Party - this is perfect for the 'morning after the night before hair', just smooth some onto the ends of your hair and it's instantly de-frizzed!

Essie Nail Polish in Style Cartel (from the Fall 2014 collection)

Essie Nail Polish in Dressed to Kilt (from the Fall 2014 collection)

Max Factor Skin Luminizer Foundation

Fashion

New Look Backpack

New Look Burgandy Patent Brogues
Asos Boots

Hollister Long Sleeve Crop Tops

Zara Faux Leather Jacket
Missguided Pink Coat (purchased a while ago)

Home/Books/Films/Music

Christmas Eve Yankee Candle
Girl Online - Zoe Sugg
Lonely Planet Prague Travel Guide

Lonely Planet Best of 2015

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 1

The Imitation Game
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Taylor Swift - Blank Space

Goerge Ezra - Listen to the Man

Jamie T - Rabbit Hole
Paolo Nutini - One Day

That's everything I've been loving over the past two months! I'm sorry there isn't a link for everything but my laptop has been playing up recently! Keep a look out for my 2014 favourites which will be up in the next week!
CJ x

New Year's Resolutions

Hello to all the readers of 2015 and a very happy new year!
I, like many others, set myself goals for the new year, and I fail in the first month every year too. So I have devised some tips for me to stick to my resolutions and I thought I'd share them with you! Hope these help

1. Be realistic
The first of January is just like any other day, and 70% of people who set goals in the new year fail before the month has ended. So set resolutions that you are fully capable of achieving, It's great to have big plans and high expectations but make sure they are realistic in reaching. You may not drop 3 dress sizes in a few months, but you can motivate yourself to move more!

2. Visualise your goals
Make sure you can see what you want, picture it, remember it, and this will help. If your goal is to visit new countries and experience new things; print out pictures of the places you want to visit! Buy travel guides and read reviews, this will drive your passion for it.

3. Write them down
I feel so much more organised and motivated if something I need to do is written down. I love to make shopping lists, to do lists, life goal lists as this helps me remember just what I need to do. Invest in a notebook, this will be a life saviour if you're anything like me.

4. Do it step by step
Go with the saying 'life is a marathon, not a sprint' If you're planning on going to the gym for 2 hours every single day after a year of slacking off, you're going to burn out. Start small and build it up, this will be better for your physical and mental health. This works for all types of resolutions, not just fitness ones. Slow and steady wins the race! (and doesn't quit)

5. Write down your progress
Like writing down your initial goals, maybe track them every week. I personally want to run a mile faster, so a good thing for me to do would be to keep track of my times so I can really see my hard work paying off.

6. Focus on positives, not negatives
For example, if you're going to learn a language don't sit there thinking 'it's too hard, I can't do this'. Instead, turn it around and say 'I didn't know this phrase last week' Your knowledge/capacity will expand every week. You are so much more than you were yesterday, keep growing.

7. Get others involved
Two is better than one! If you know somebody else who wants a new start in a certain area, ask them to join you in your goals. I'm currently doing a 30 day challenge with my best friend, and it's so much more fun with somebody else

8. Make good choices/investments
Say you want to learn an instrument, invest in an instructional book or even a few beginners lessons as opposed to trying to learn from the internet or self-teach. Equally important is to make sure you invest your time. If you're really serious, make the investment and it'll pay off!

9. Build on your goals
As you're busy achieving one goal, why not throw in another? If you're doing well at the gym, make your diet healthier. The two may work together and motivate you more!

10. Reward yourself
Don't get too busy worrying about the next step, celebrate how far you've come, admire your achievements. With every huge step, treat yourself (new makeup anybody?)

There you have it! I hope these tips helped, I know not everybody sets New Year's Resolutions, but why not? We all have our weaknesses and we all have something we need to change. Cut down on smoking or shopping, learn a language, travel more, or even just say yes to more things and enjoy 2015 everybody!
CJ x