What I learnt in 2016 | Advice | New Years goals

As we ae now heading into 2017 I decided that I would do a blog post giving you some advice on what I have learnt throughout this past year and also some advice on the year coming. For some of you, you might think that you don't need a new year to start making goals you might just want to do it tomorrow etc. That is totally fine and I can agree with you but a lot of people prefer to do it at the end of the year and its nice to help people and give them guidance along the way. Despite everything that has happened for some people I think that its important to go into the New Year being surrounded by the ones that you love and to be more strong and determined to go into the New Year.

Some advice that I have learnt throughout the year is to be yourself, this sounds very cliché but its really important. This means don't take anyone's SHIT! If you are truly yourself you will become a much more independent positive person. It also links in with confidence something that I have been working on this past year and for me my confidence has increased a lot. However, I would like to be more confident and that is something that I'm going to work on. Being in the past can affect a lot of people and what I mean by this is that to many people think about what has happened or what is going to happen and this can affect so many people, for me I have always done this but recently I have been trying harder to stop thinking about what happened or what is going to happen and start focusing on NOW. Some advice that I have recently found out and I think that it will help a lot of people is to stay off your phones for as long as possible, having me time is so important and being glued to a phone screen is just time wasting. For me this has only helped me in the past month as for the whole year I have been glued to my phone and missed out on so many different opportunities which are so important, for this upcoming year I think that you should all try and stay off your phone for as long as you can and some of yo reading this might think I'm crazy for saying this but honestly it will help. It will open new doors and pathways, you can start going out more and get some fresh air, take long walks with your pets if you have any or even on your own. Life doesn't just revolve around a screen and I think that is so important. Another life lesson that I have learnt is to stop comparing myself to other people, at the start of the year this is all I used to do I would be up for hours watching videos of girls putting makeup on or just being themselves and I would put myself down comparing every single little thing of me to them and it really made me very negative about myself and that isn't good that is not the life to live. I think that self love is a very important thing and I think that no matter what it is going to be hard to love yourself all the time and that okay but self love is very important and I think that everyone no matter who you are should love yourself. Instagram became very famous for models this year and a lot of my Instagram feed is full of famous Instagram models and I would used to sit there and compare myself to them but now I don't, it is okay to feel inspired by them but please, please do not be like them. You are you're own self and that is so important to just keep being you.

New Years goals can be very different depending on the type of person you are. For me my New Year goals are going to be very focused and adventurous. This means that I want to start going out more and exploring the world that we live in because we have some amazing places around the world which need to be explored. As I am in college I need to be a lot more focused with the work that I'm doing as I frequently get bored when in college and don't do as much work as I can and this really needs to be improved for 2017. If any of you lovelies reading this are in college you know how stressful it really can be and sometimes you just want to go home after a long day and have a nice soak in the bath which you can do but firstly we need to start getting all of our work done! Something that really bugs me about myself is that I always stay in bed because I'm a very lazy person, probably the laziest person that you could ever met and all I ever want to do is to be in bed and I spend around 80% of my life there. However, I want to change that and I think that important because it can help me by doing more things, exploring and finding new adventures, friends and opportunities.

I want to become a lot more independent and by this I mean I don't want to constantly keep asking people for help, I want to start doing things on my own and become a more mature person, soon I'm going to start learning to drive and when I'm driving I cant be asking people for help constantly so this is a big step for me to take. I think that as soon as you become independent there is an increase of confidence because you then know that you can start doing things on your own and you become much more reliable of the choices that you then have to make.

Two of my New Years goals are very similar and will really help me in life, I struggle with anxiety problems and I find it very hard when in college to communicate with teachers and peers. I honestly truly think that the reason for this is because I don't put myself out there enough and I get to scared of what other people will think of me and this really affects me often. For 2017 I'm going to try my best to put a stop to it. I have been reading other blog posts and a lot of people are trying to become a lot more confident in the upcoming year. I have also seen a lot of people talking about the book 'The power of now' and that has seemed to help a lot of people so as soon as I can I will be purchasing that. Positivity is something that can really help someone and can make them more confident. if you are surrounded by positivity you will become more positive revolving in more happiness and this will in the end make you more of a confident person. Confidence is very key and I think that it looks very attractive on someone when they come across as confident, for some people including me its very hard to be confident and I really hope that 2017 is the year where I become so confident because I have been struggling with confidence for a long time now and it really does affect me and I just hope that so many other people can do the same as me and try their best because that is all that really matters.

Around October time I started working out because I noticed that my body hasn't really got any muscle in it and something that I really want is to build muscle in my body, since October I was working very hard to try and keep fit. When I was working out I started to eat healthy and I really noticed a change not only in my body but also my mind it really increased my happiness and driven me to stay focused. Christmas came along and all I wanted to do was pig out, but I mean I don't mind that you can always have a little treat now and then. My goal for 2017 is to stay focused and fit as I possibly can and to take them booty gains!! I really think that working out helps a lot of people and it has really helped me. Linking in with working out there is mediation which I have always wanted to do but have never really tired it and for this upcoming year it is something that I really want to try. I am following a few people who love to do mediation and has said that it has helped them become a much more positive and focused person. Meditation has many benefits and is really supposed to help the brain with being relived. For me being in college is very stressful as I am there for 5 days a week and soon I'm going to start having to look for a job and I think the stress then will be huge. I will need some sort of escape and I think that meditation will be the best stress relive for me.

I hope that this is one of the best years for everyone out there and I hope that everyone has a happy and positive year. I want to know some of your New Year goals and advice leave it in the comment section and share this post around with friends. Much love, Erin xoxo

November weekly workout challenge

Hey loves,
I have been really into working out and it can get very boring and difficult doing the same things over and over again. I thought that I would put you out of your misery by doing a November weekly workout challenge. You could do this for every week of November if you wish or you could just do it for a week.
Keep in mind you can change these up and rearrange the days as much as you want. I challenge you to do the November weekly challenge and everyday you do it comment the day of the week you did it!

Monday: 

run for at least 15 minutes,

Do as many push-ups as you can,

Plank for 1 miunte on each side,

Do 50 jumping jacks,

2 minute high knees,

20 sqauts.

Tuesday:

30 squats, 

50 burpees,

70 jumping jacks,

Do as many sit-ups as you can,

Jog for 20 minutes.

Wednesday:

Do 10-20 minutes of cardio,

40 crunches,

50 lunges,

4 minute high knees.

Thursday:

Plank for 1 minute on each side,

25 wall sits,

50 sqats,

50 crunches,

As many push ups as you can do.

Friday:

20 minute cardio,

45 second superman,

60 squats,

60 lunges,

Run for 20 minutes.

Saturday:

30 minutes cardio,

1 minute arm circles, (per arm)

60 calve raises,

5 minute high knees,

Run for 15 minutes.

Sunday:

50 sit-ups,

1 minute plank both side,

100 jumping jacks,

30 minutes cardio,

50 lunges.

Erin xoxo

Fall Hairstyles

Hello loves,
I love fall, it is deffinatly myfavourtie season. You see all of the leaves on the floor and the icy cold nights. Listening to the rain, warming up by the fire whilst drinking hot coco. To me fall is the perfect season and also it is getting prepared for christmas! I still havent done any christmas shopping, I always leave it to last minute which is bad of me. These hairstyles are all very easy to do, the most difficult one is probarly the french braid one. Which one is your favorite?

Hairstyle 1- Fishtail braid: 

1. Divide your hair into two large sections, straight down the middle.

2. Pull a thin strand of hair from the outside of the left section. Pull it over the top of the left section, and grasp it under the right section.

3. Repeat on the other side.

4. Keep alternating sides until you reach the bottom of the braid.

5. Tie with an elastic and your done.

Hairstyle 2- Loose curls in pony:

1. Curl your hair, take a small or medium sized piece of your hair and wrap around a curling tong for a few seconds, 10 to 20 should be plenty depending on the thickness and length of your hair.

2. Spray all of your hair with hairspray so that the curls stay in for longer.

3. Once all of your hair is curled put it up into a loose ponytail and then your done.

Hairstyle 3- Halo:

1. (This step is optional) curl your hair but only keep the sections that you are using on for around 5-10 seconds because we want a wave look.

2. Put a headband in your hair and start to wrap parts of your hair into the headband this will make you look like you are wearing a hair halo.

3. Finish of with some hairspray to keep your hair in the halo and your done.

Hairstyle 4- French braid:

1. Start by taking a section from the top of the head. Separate this section into 3 strands crossing right over middle and then left over middle.

2. Switch all of the strands over to your left hand and keep strands separated.

3. You can now gather a small even section from the right side of the head with your right hand and add it to the right strand.

4. Bring the strand you have just added to, over to the middle and bring the middle strand to the right. Keep all the strands separate.

5. You will now bring the left strand over to the middle and bring the middle section to the left. As you follow these steps, try to keep your hands close to the head so the braid will be tight.

6. Carry on until you reach the bottom of the braid, do the same to the other side and then tie with an elastic, then your done.

Erin xoxo

DIY Face Masks

Hey loves,
Recently I have been breaking out in spots and it is really annoying. I try to cover it up with makeup but it makes it 10x worse so I needed to come up with a compromise very quick. I had tried many different face masks and sometimes they make it worse and make my skin red and blotchy. Instead I decided that I would make my own face masks so it is more friendly to my face and it worked!

Banana face mask-

Mash up a medium-sized ripe banana into a smooth paste, then gently apply it to your face and neck. Let it set for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water.

Milk face mask-

Make a mask by mixing 1/4 cup powdered milk with enough water to form a thick paste. Thoroughly coat your face with the mixture, let dry completely, then rinse with warm water. Your face will feel fresh and rejuvenated.

Oatmeal face mask-

Combine 1/2 cup hot not boiling water and 1/3 cup oatmeal. After the water and oatmeal have settled for two or three minutes, mix in 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 small egg white. Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.

Mayonnaise face mask-

Gently spread the mayonnaise over your face and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Then wipe it off and rinse with cool water. Your face will feel clean and smooth.

Yoghourt face mask-

Slather some plain yogurt on your face and let it sit for about 20 minutes.

Erin xoxo

Fall bucketlist

Hello loves,
Fall is my favorite season and to celebrate that I thought that I would share with you my fall bucket-list. I might of got a little to excited when writing this because I put a lot down. I love everything about fall and if you can relate to me then I would read what I have put below. What is on your fall bucket-list?

Jump in a pile of leaves, carve a pumpkin, watch a scary movie, go walking in the leaves, ride some bikes with friend, have a bonfire, collect & press leaves, tell ghost stories, buy fall candles, spend a day outdoors, go trick-or-treating, watch the stars, cuddle outside in blankets, eat candy, listen to the rain, put your hands next to the fire, cook a roast, eat Carmel apples, drink hot coco, wear layers of jumpers, have fairy lights on, dark lips, warm baths, Christmas shopping, wearing warm fuzzy socks, boots, over sized coats, staying in your pj's all day, watch fireworks, read a book under a tree, collect conkers, snuggle up watching a film, visit family and friends.

Erin xoxo

Cozy DIY Mug Sweater

Hey loves,
This is a very easy DIY and it will only take you around 5 minutes maybe even shorter time than that. I think this is a nice thing to do for the winter time to add a different look to your cup and also it looks very photogenic which if you have an instagram you could snap a photo of. It only takes 3 very easy, simple and short steps to do.

Step 1: measure your mug, or just look at how long you want the sweater to be!
Step two: cut it the length you want; plus cut around the handle of the mug; so you can hold it nicely.
Step three: slip it onto your fav mug and enjoy!

Erin xoxo

Naked Nudes Review and Makeup Tutorial

Hello my loves,
I have been loving nudes on my eyes this autumn I think it is very natural and it adds a little elgents. I recently picked this up and loved it. I knew as soon as I put my hands on it I had to have it. I thought that today I would do something a little different and do a review and a makeup tutorial just so you get a real inside on the product. It is something that I have never done before and I have seen many blog posts that do this and it is a lot more interesting and you see the real product for itself and you can learn more about it. My eyebrows weren't plucked when I did this makeup look but we can just ignore that, aha.

Review:
Firstly I would like to say W7 did great on the packaging, I break things very easy and this hasn't broke on me (yet) the colors last long on your eyes and are very easy to apply. The colors are very pigmented which is something that I like. They aren't loose eye shadows  but they do have a little bit of excess which can easily be taken of by a wipe. They are very easy to apply and throughout the day it doesn't smudge or crease which is something that I suffer with. I have very oily eyelids and my eye makeup comes of very easy, that is why people wear primer but with this eye shadow you could get away with wearing no primer which is great. Of course I still do because it just is part of my routine but you don't have to if you don't want.

Makeup Tutorial:

1. Firstly I applied the pale color in the middle and applied this all over the lid. This will work as a base and will make the browns more bright on the eyes. If you apply a pale color on your eyes before you add the other colors it will make your eyes look more bigger and brighter. (On the picture I have a lot of excess on my face and it looks very bad I do wipe it of but I snapped a picture before I did)

 

2. Next I apply the right brown color on the end and blend this into the outer V and blended it in. It will create a smokey look, not to harsh but wearable for the day. You cant really make out the brown because it is very light but when it all comes together you can really tell.

3. After that I apply the most darkest colour (which is nearly hitting pan) and blend that all over the crease this will give it a little smokey look and pull the look together. I also drag a little bit of the color under my eye to add effect and it makes the look more darker. Which gives it that extra bit of

4. Lastly I apply some eyeliner and apply a little bit of mascara and that is the finished look, personally I think this is a day look because it isnt to dark. You could add some more dark brown colours to make it a night look and that would be fine. I have been wearing this look a lot recently and it looks flawless. You will get a lot of compliments.

                        

Erin xoxo