Currently... | August

Reading: 'Before We Met' by Lucie Whitehouse.

Watching: Dexter on Netflix.

Dreaming of: A holiday somewhere hot where I can lounge by the pool and sip cocktails all day!

Trying To Plan: Lots of blog posts for the Autumn season.

Making: An effort to show those close how much I appreciate all they do for me.

Stocking Up On: New bits and bobs for my new house at uni.

Wishing For: The next week to go fairly quickly so I can move into the new house.

Enjoying: My last week at home.

Trying to: Get up earlier and get back into the routine of a normal human being.

Eating/Drinking: Lots of tea now the weather is a lot cooler.

Goal Setting: For my second year at uni.

Excite For: Freshers week and being reunited with my uni pals!

Working On: Improving the composition of my photography.

Lusting After: Autumn clothes!

15 Things I Wish I'd Known At 15

Image credit: @Pollyvdsz

Today I was inspired by Polly, who had visited the Heartbreak hotel at Southbank in London while the 'festival of love' is going on. She shared on twitter some images from the exhibit titled "Things I wish I'd Known At 15" and I found myself interested in the wide range of statements made on a range of topics so I thought I'd compile my own list of things I wish I'd known at 15. 

1. Not all friends will stick around but once you’ve found the right ones, they’ll last a lifetime.
2. Revision isn’t all about reading books and copying up notes, past papers are the key to success.
3. You’ll think you’ve found the love of your life but sometimes you couldn’t be more wrong.
4. Take risks. You’ll never know unless you try.
5. Take your time. You don’t need to rush into growing up and entering the adult world. When it’s your time you’ll regret the times you forgot to be a child.
6. Your thoughts will destroy you if you let them.
7. You won’t always be a size 8, and that’s okay.
8. Don’t be so trusting, but also don’t stop trusting.
9. Listen more. Everyone has a story to tell.
10. Stop trying to please everyone, you can’t make everyone happy even if you want to.
11. Vodka isn’t the answer to your problems, it just leads to more regrets.
12. Don’t stop doing what you love. Be passionate and screw anyone who doesn’t accept that.
13. You’ll never see what others see when they look at you. Just because you don’t see it, that doesn’t mean it’s not true.
14. Trust your instinct, it’s there for a reason.
15. You’ll reach your goals. The journey will have hiccups and will probably take longer than expected but trust that you’ll get there if you keep trying.

I might only be 19 years old, with most of my life still to live but I've learnt so much in the past 5 years in particular that I feel they are still worth sharing. It'll be good to look back on this in perhaps another 5 years and see yet again how my outlook on the world has changed. We can choose to never stop learning and that's exactly what I intend to do. 

Face Mapping | What Do My Spots Mean?

We are all partial to getting spots whether you suffer with acne or are lucky enough to only get the odd one. I often find myself waking up to the horrible sight of a new spot and wondering why it has all of a sudden decided to appear. I decided to do some research into what spots actually mean in relation to where they crop up on your face. I came across the concept of 'Face Mapping', there is so much information to be discovered and it's guaranteed to change the way you try to treat your spots. 

'Face Mapping' is basically the process of splitting your face into 'zones' and each represents a different part of your body. It basically analyses what is going on internally and how that is translated into getting spots. 

Zones 1 and 2: Digestive System - 

Spots in this area are caused by eating 'junk' and processed food in excess. The action to take is simple, just eat healthier and drink more water. As simple as that.

Zone 3: Liver - 

Spots here are caused by the overconsumption of alcohol, rich food and could possibly be due to a food allergy. 

Zones 4, 5, 7 and 8: Kidneys - 

Spots here indicate that you are dehydrated so the easy solution is to drink more. Also try to cut down on caffeine and alcohol as they cause dehydration if consumed in excess.

Zone 6: Heart - 

The first thing to do would be to make sure you are washing your makeup brushes regularly. This area contains dilated pores which means bacteria is more easily trapped, causing spots. Another possible cause could be high blood pressure, try to cut down on saturated fats and eat more healthy fats (contained in oily fish and nuts), but if you think you have high blood pressure, definitely consult with your doctor.

Zones 9 and 10: Respiratory System -  

The people who suffer most with spots in this area are those who smoke or have allergies. Green veggies may help due to their high vitamin content, but also make sure your pillow cases are clean!

Zones 11 and 12: Hormones - 

Spots here are a major indicator of stress or hormonal change. Not much can be done if it's *that time* but make sure you are cleansing really well, eating healthy and exercising. 

Zone 13: Stomach -

Your stomach works super hard to deal with all you throw at it, so if you get spots in this are, adding more fibre to your diet can really help to get things back on the straight and narrow.

Zone 14: Illness - 

Spots here indicate that your body is trying to fight off bacteria, simply drink more water and get lots of rest. It's really important to recover properly when you're ill and get as much rest as you need. Another reason for getting spots here maybe due to your perfume. 

All the information I found on Face Mapping was from Suzie's blog post and from the Dermalogica website and I'm so glad I discovered this concept! Just another reason to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine in my opinion. 

Summer Reads | You Had Me At Hello

Before I completed my GCSE's I was a major bookworm, always switching time outside to stay in, read and drink tea. I was a complete bookworm. My studies took over but I still loved, and still do love reading so I thought I'd share with you a book a finished just a few days ago. I bought it months ago but it took me until the other week to start reading. 

The Storyline //

Mhairi McFarlane explores the concept of 'The One Who Got Away' and what happens if they come back into your life unexpectedly, through humour and romance. 

"Rachel and Ben. Ben and Rachel. It was them against the world. Until it all fell apart. It’s been a decade since they last spoke, but when Rachel bumps into Ben one rainy day, the years melt away.

They’d been partners in crime and the best of friends. But life has moved on: Ben is married. Rachel is not. Yet in that split second, Rachel feels the old friendship return. And along with it, the broken heart she’s never been able to mend." (the blurb)

My Thoughts //

I found myself instantly relating to everyday situations that Rachel finds herself in as she travels through life at university and beyond, whether it be meeting people for the first time, dealing with boss's/colleague's are far from professional and friends who aren't what they seem. I found myself laughing at the awkward and embarrassing situations that we've all found ourselves in and crying when she is nursing a broken heart, they're experiences that we have all been through so I found it easy to connect with how the character was feeling and experience things with her, especially as it is written in the first person.

The chapters are fairly short which means it's a book which is easy to pick up and put down and not lose your place, and easy to read for hours, or short bursts, however you prefer. The book is mainly set in the present but sometimes switches back to the past when extra insight is needed to explain why she is feeling the way she does or to highlight an event which she remembers in that moment. I like that, it gives depth to her character and makes her even more believable and easy to relate to.

I was hooked on this book by the end and I could easier have read a little more into what happens next, (SO difficult not to spoil the end!) and for anyone who loves a good rom-com, I thoroughly recommend this book as an easy read which is enjoyable from beginning to end. 

Skincare Splurge

Isn't it just sods laws that almost all your skin care will run out at once? I recently found myself running low on cleanser and my facemask and took to the online shops to buy replacements and ended up with a few extras thanks to discounts and free gifts. 

Pixi Glow Tonic //

I have never used a toner. Whenever wanting to exfoliate my skin I've used horribly harsh facial scrubs which left my face feeling stripped and dry. Not a pleasant experience. I've seen Zoe (from Zoella) talk about this liquid exfoliant/tonic water which claims to "tone, smooth and refine skin's texture". She, and Caroline Hirons (skincare goddess) speak highly of it and as my as my routine was missing a toner it was quickly added to my basket. 

The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser //

After finishing yet another bottle of the Soap and Glory 'Peaches and Clean' cream cleanser, I felt like a bit of a change so took to the body shop. There's so many to choose from, but as I am using this cleanser in the morning and not to remove makeup, I just wanted something gentle which leaves my skin clean an soft in the morning, and this claims to do so.

The Body Shop Almond Hand and Nail Cream //

This was a free gift as I ordered over a certain amount of goods and as a full size product I'm happy! This will be great to pop in my handbag and smells dreamy.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream //

As a long time contender on my wish list, I finally took the plunge and ordered this little orange beauty. Smells divine and contains Vitamin C and Caffeine to wake me up in the mornings; an essential for 9 o'clock lectures and the day after the night before...

Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Thermal Detox Mask //

Another product influenced by Zoe, but another skincare item that needed to be replaced. I've never tried a heating clay mask before so this was new to me but I love it! It feels great when applied and within minutes it has cooled and is ready to be rinsed off, meaning it gives you a spa like feel but in a fraction of the time. It left my skin feeling so smooth and clear and didn't break me out or cause me to have even oilier skin than usual. A total winner. 

Along with all of these, I also bought The Body Shop Seaweed Purifying Facial Cleanser and Day Cream for my boyfriend. (Do I win extra girlriend/blogger points for sorting out a bit of a skincare routine for him?)