A Special Christmas Gift

I was really lucky to receive some beautiful, thoughtful Christmas presents this year. One of my favourite gifts was from my partner and something I can't wait to start using in 2015: a photo album with a twist.

104 Things to Photograph is a great book for anyone who likes taking photos, but especially for me as I am getting to grips with photography after purchasing my first camera earlier this year. It has slots to add photos under different titles, which include: 'a winner', 'hand shadows', 'melting ice cream' and 'a haunted house'. What's so fun about this book is that the titles range from the everyday to the abstract- something that allows for creativity and imagination.
I get my photos printed from snapfish.co.uk which I find to be reliable and affordable. When I was a teenager, I had a basic camera which took standard rolls of film. I also used disposable cameras, so going to Super Snaps to get my photos developed was a frequent occurrence. This meant that I was able to put together albums across my childhood and teenage years and they are something I will treasure for the rest of my life. They tell the story of my life like nothing else can and I love sharing them with friends and family when they come to visit.

2014 Favourites: a Round-up

I always find it difficult to think about the previous year in the sense that it is hard to get a clear picture of what characterised those particular twelve months. It wasn't a great year in many ways (in terms of personal life), but I did turn 30 and have some fantastic moments too. I loved celebrating with my two best friends- friends I've had for around 18 years now! 

It was also a year of picking up some new interests, for example, finding a love for folk music and photography after purchasing my Sony A5000. And of course, it was in April that I started to blog more regularly and actually saw a small audience start to grow- something I'm really happy about. If you have read my blog this year, thank you very much! It is amazing to think that my hobby can be shared with others around the world! It is also a blessing that in today's age of technology, I can record my year in this blog- potentially as something to look back on for years to come!

So without further ado, I want to present to you: my year's favourites.

A Winter Walk in Pictures (Knole Park, Sevenoaks)

 Over the Christmas period I stay with my family in Kent. Boxing Day is always one of those times where people get itchy feet and want to break out of the house- and usually that means a stroll around the sales in a local town. I've always found it slightly depressing that the day after Christmas, people feel the need to buy things. I'm not judging, because I'm guilty of it to some extent, but it was really lovely to not do that this year!

We drove to Knole Park in Sevenoaks which is well-known for its beautiful scenery and wild deer. Of course, for me that meant a chance to take some photos! So without further ado, here is our winter walk in the bracing cold, complete with festive deer:

Simple Copper Make-up Look

Winter Saturdays for me are all about relaxing, keeping cosy and warm. Sometimes I like a bit of make-up; sometimes not, but today was one of those Saturdays where I reached for my favourite Narsissist palette!
I fancied a warm, copper-brown eye, with some frosty brown eyeliner and some bright skin. As we approach the end of term at work, I am feeling exhausted and (like many of you, I'm sure) it's taking it's toll on my face! Therefore Nars Sheer Glow foundation works wonders with a light dusting of their Light Reflecting Pressed Powder. These products really do deliver on giving your skin a boost of freshness and brightness when you need it.
For the cheeks I used my Dior Blush in Rose Libertine (which is one of my most popular blogged about items!) Sadly, unless I pile it on clown style, it doesn't photograph too well, however most of us want a natural, rather than dramatic flush of colour.

Festive Home Decor in Pictures

Father Christmas and The Snowman ornaments: gifts from the brother over the last few Christmases!
Candles from Yankee Candle and Diptyque

5 Fascinating Female Protagonists in Fiction

Here's my guide to five of my favourite female protagonists in fiction: from the headstrong, to the downright disreputable:

Bournemouth in pictures

Bournemouth is a coastal town in Dorset, in the South of England. It's a lovely place to visit all year round- hence my visit in November on a rare, rainless day. I could tell you more, but I think I'll let the photos do the talking...

Patisserie Valerie, Post Office Road

New Nude Skincare Products

Left: Omega Cleansing jelly                                                       Right: Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash

I love Nude skincare. Love it. Years ago I discovered their amazing eye cream, which was discontinued, but have since fallen in love with their current formulation too. When I saw that they had released some new, innovative products, I couldn't wait to get my hands on them. So here's my take on the Omega Cleansing Jelly and Brightening Fizzy powder Wash after trialling them for a week or so:

Changing Face: Should we opt for surgery as we age?

We live in a funny old world, don't we? From the day we are born we are genetically programmed to age, embracing it as teenagers, desperate to be part of the adult world where we will presumably be respected and enjoy the freedoms that come with being a grown-up.
Some of us abuse our bodies somewhat in our teens and twenties, maybe even beyond those early years, thinking that wrinkles, rotten teeth and weight gain won't happen to us. But of course its happening at that very moment when we're enjoying those carefree drinks, eating that chocolate cake or smoking those 'cheeky' ciggies.
And then we start to see those signs of aging and it's a shock to the system somewhat! So what do we do? We try and fight it of course. We pile on the creams, lotions and potions (which can't work the miracles we're after), we sulk, then we get over it and accept that we are no longer a young, fresh-looking spring chicken!

Making a House a Home: Tips for Personalizing your Abode!

 My home is certainly not an ode to Instagram or Tumblr-worthy, but I like to think my partner and I have given it some quirky little touches over the last few years to make it, well, ours. I spent most of my 20s living in basic rented accommodation (i.e. bedsits and small flats), therefore I know it can be difficult to make a white-washed, clinical space, or an out-dated rental into something that feels like it's personalized to you and your tastes. I still don't own a place, so it is important to me and my partner that our rented home can at least feel like it belongs to us, even if we can't decorate it how we might want.

This post is dedicated to those that want some tips to make their room or home look cosy and personalized: