We live in a world full of hidden gems.
To be more precise, I live in a county full of one of the most precious gems.
The rawness of nature.

It's Spring, possibly my favourite month. I feel as if everything comes to life in Spring and it's one big lead up to a season where our surroundings are in full bloom.

One of my 'resolutions' of the New Year was to say YES to more things. For me, exercise is usually a big NO. However, I'm saying yes and the simplicity of a walk can still mean I incorporate exercise and a healthy way of living into my everyday life.
I'm the type of person who despises the beginning of a walk and wants to turn around to go back to the car straight away, however once I'm into it, I really do enjoy it.

My boyfriend purchased a National Trust Membership, for a sparing £2 a month it didn't really break the bank, plus we already make a HUGE saving every time we get a car parking spot on the National Trust! This also means lots of discounts on specific grounds such as gardens, public houses and car parks for beaches (which are more than often free if they're part of the NT).

- If you want to know more about this, click here to find out where you could go with your membership-

At the beginning of April, we took a trip down memory lane. To a garden in Falmouth (which must I say is probably my favourite town in Cornwall)

Although not part of the National Trust, Trebah Gardens is a definite must-go in Spring/Summer, especially when it's in full bloom and array of colour. If you're a local, you're bound to know about the 'shortcuts' to Trebah via their beach. You can access this either by boat, or if you take an excursion round the coast from Glen Durgan beach. It's a shingle beach but allows dogs and has picnic benches.

The gardens it's self is anything but cramped, with a wide open space containing large ponds, presentations of beautiful species of plants and flowers. It's stunning in the sun and is a perfect sun trap. Facilities nearby mean you can accommodate your hungry needs with food from the restaurant/ cafe, but in all honesty, you might as well pack your own food as there's places to sit down in the sun and have a picnic.

It's the little things which remind you that you live in a truly beautiful place...

N x

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LIFE UPDATE/ MEDIA IS FOR ME

I've been thinking long and hard about the future. What I'd like to do compared to what I should do. I keep thinking to myself, why do I keep drawing myself out of what I actually would enjoy? I feel as if I should be working hard to join the police force, or be a nurse or even a teacher but to be brutally honest, none of that interests me. What interests me is media, art and community through the internet.

Art in the ways in which I can express myself, musically, artistically through everyday, freelance and theatre make-up. Whether I will get over my inner teenage dream of earning money through social media on YouTube and promoting certain companies and working with filming- probably not. Whether I will easily achieve that- probably not. Although I'm beginning to get together ideas of things that would interest ME. Not what other people want me to bring to the table.

Therefore I want to put together a portfolio with make-up looks, freelance make-up and 'arty farty' things that may help inspire myself to see what certain aspect of media I enjoy the most, and with the help of others to see what parts I'm best at.

If anyone has any ideas with what I could do, or if you want to get involved in the model stage/ photography part then let me know on Facebook message, or Twitter, Instagram and YouTube (Niki27x) I will also so greatly appreciate any messages or new subscribers and viewers.

Thanks,
N x

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Hello New Year!

I haven't done a post for so long, although I've got so many drafts, I just don't feel they're good enough and don't want to publish them.
Therefore, I thought I'd do a '2016' post. I feel as if winter 2015 was a bit of a rubbish time, although I don't like the cold, It just didn't feel like winter that I remember came to us in 2015, therefore I am so so SO excited for summer and 2016 as a whole and I'm ready to make changes and do new things that I wouldn't have done before...

Here's to 2016 *New Year New Me* - I'm just kidding.

I suppose it's time to make resolutions and changes (not personal changes that I want to talk about) but just changes to my routine, daily habits and doing things that I'd normally be too scared to try or feel nervous about...

Here's my TOP 5 resolutions I want to start from the end of january (whether I stick to them is a different story)

1. Get fitter

Yes, I want to get fitter in terms of physique but also in my diet and what I eat; which clearly is junk.
I was going to say 'Join the gym' but I think that's unrealistic to me, and if I do, i do, but it's not a resolution as such. I have a smoothie maker so I want to make more healthier options to snacks and even breakfast and without relentless journeys to the gym, hopefully I'll be able to lose fat and tone up naturally before I work myself to tears.

2. Say YES to more things

I'm always so unmotivated to do things, I feel exhausted all the time and saying yes to more things will encourage me to stick to something and hopefully live more experiences and open my eyes up to new memories to make as well as new people.

3. Keep organised

This is probably the most needed resolution. I am the worst at keeping organised in terms of college work, keeping things tidy, cluttering and not putting things in the right places. Therefore a browse on the IKEA website won't go a miss so that I can buy so many pretty boxes and pots and jars so that I keep everything to its place. I also want to make sure I keep myself organised as in look after my hair, skin, nails and make sure I make the effort to make myself look presentable (when I have the time!)

4. Make more effort to see friends and family

I'm the type of person to thing 'If they won't make the effort then neither will I'. This year I want to stay in touch with old friends, take spontaneous trips to see my relatives and just make sure I give my full support and love to anyone who may need it.

aaaaaand 5. Do what I love to do

In my opinion, why wait for opportunities to come when you could work your hardest and get there. I love writing what I feel and giving my most probably useless advice on make-up and fashion. I like sitting in-front of a camera for hours talking about pointless things and talking about all things beauty. Therefore I want to actually make sure I don't slack in making videos and writing posts because at the end of the day, I want to be happy doing something I like. I don't want to sit in college working my ass over something I don't want to do in the future. Even though I need A levels to do that, I'll make sure I do the best I can so that I have the best outcome after it all.

I hope this gave you some inspiration in how to do better in 2016, even if It didn't; thanks for reading up to here...

Happy New Year, let's make 2016 a lot better than 2015!

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What's next...

I'm going to take a break from the chatty make-up videos and anything beauty related and take it back to personal everyday life THINGS. Basically just a little update about my life.. 

CUE THE SERIOUS LIFE POST.
Anyone who knows me will know that I'm in my last year of college, I'm sure the majority of people reading this will also be too. It's exciting to know I'll be doing something I enjoy rather than the persistent and non-stop work of A levels hopefully very soon. I don't think moving away, studying even more and risking the chance of probably not enjoying it is for me, therefore for now i've decided not to go to a uni far away.
I've gone through the relentless battle of UCAS and trying to sort it out for a possible uni course I want to carry on at my current college. A lot of people will probably think that uni life is the best part of the last couple of teenage years (the party part sounds great; don't get me wrong) however even though I haven't tried it, I don't think it will be for me. 
I've applied for a 3 year HND in Moving Image which is to do with filming and editing. Doing something I love is definitely important to me as I feel as if I've struggled 2 years in college education studying topics I don't enjoy. If the HND isn't what I want to do before it gets to next year, I'll definitely be looking at an apprenticeship to see if that's the way I want to go.
I've started a YouTube channel and with just over 100 subscribers, it's definitely not going as well as I initially thought it would, however with college, work and lack of equipment, it is hard to get to the place I would dream in being and the target audience in such a short amount of time; so I guess I'm happy with it at the moment. 
I've always aspired to be a YouTuber since I first started making videos years ago with very embarrassing footage of me miming to music and making 'music videos'. After watching YouTubers such as the very popular 'Zoella' from the start, I realised talking infront of a camera about beauty, my life, and various other topics is the one thing which I actually would enjoy. 
I'm not the type of person to take part in activities, sports and maintain hobbies, being not the most confident person in myself and around others, the idea of being confident in front of a camera yet still getting myself across to an audience compels me to do what I can to at least get a few loyal viewers who enjoy my videos. Whether thats 500, or 500,000 it really doesn't matter. 
A job or a hobby, It's something I'd love to do and studying and taking part in media is something I love to do. 
Currently working in retail as a side job in my free time is helping me along financially and confidently, although I know that I don't want my future to be in retail, I've definitely learnt i'm more of a practical person.

I can't stress enough that if anyone watching this is like me and not 100% sure what they want to do, don't worry. You don't need to know, don't let people tell you that you NEED to decide. Gap years, and taking time out is available, you may want to get education out of the way but you can come back to it. I know people in uni who are 30 odd and taking courses in things completely irrelevant to what they first initially wanted to do when they were 18/19. Do what you want to do!

So yeah, that's my thoughts.
If anyone wanted to check out my YouTube channel, it is very sparse at the moment and rather unprofessional compared to the majority of YouTubers out there but I'm a beginner and in the process of learning! I'd also appreciate any feedback, criticism and new subscribers!
 Click there to take a look -->    Niki27x  

Thanks to those who currently support my love for YouTube and writing (even if i'm not the best) Even by watching, liking and sharing posts, it means a lot!
N x

“The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position.” 
― Leo Buscaglia

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Lost In Longleat...

This came a little late but for my 18th my gorgeous boyfriend bought us a trip 'up country' to go to Longleat and London. Surprisingly despite being infactuated with animals, this was my first trip to Longleat, so automatically before even going it was the most perfect present!
As you can imagine I was like a little kid again, being picked up after college and getting straight to the road to travel up to his mum and step-dads house. Needless to say I was excited for our first independent road trip especially as it was a gorgeous afternoon to travel.
We spent a lovely evening celebrating mine, Harvey's and his mums' birthday with late presents, balloons, and cake before I was eager for bed ready for Longleat the next day.

Longleat opened at 10am so we made sure to leave plenty of time to get there at 10am on the dot (which we did!) and still it was very busy full of over excited little ones (including me) and frantic parents. Every sign post counting down the miles got me excited, despite being lost in the midst.

We had mix reviews whether to go to the Longleat house before the safari or visa versa, and chose the Safari first as after all was the main reason we were going. Harvey did say that the monkey safari was closed, whether that was a  little fib to keep his Golf in tact I'll never know, however it was open and we did go through it (and the Golf survived!) Every time a monkey seemed remotely interested in the car we did speed up a little and I could see the look of relief on Harvey's face as we exited the monkey enclosure without a scrape.

My favourite enclosure on the safari without a doubt were the Lions, so much in-fact I bought a lion teddy after a long while choosing (I'm 18, it's still allowed.)
There must have been at least 20 lions, most which were rather tired and did nothing but look cute and sit there with their eyes closed, which still was such a lovely experien
ce, I've also decided that one day I will see Lions in their natural habitat, whether it kills me (or my bank)

After the safari and the hundreds of animals roaming around the car, we went to Longleat park, which is where a lot of the smaller animals were as well as the reptiles. I think my most favourite part about Longleat was the fact you could walk through the penguins, one of which (called Sherbert) had a strange love towards my Hollister cardigan (which now has holes in.) Their enclosure was huge with an outside and inside and underwater part. Seeing them play and happily swim around was so lovely knowing that they're in a open space rather than in a small area in a zoo.

I'll insert a few more animal pictures as that's what I'd be more interested in if I was reading this...

I also did something which I never thought I ever would. Me being me, afraid of most insects and of course spiders actually held a tarantula.. Picture proof. I was reluctant to hold anything too small as in my mind the bigger the spider, the better it could be. It's more like a little mouse than a spider, however it was a little smaller than I thought it would be so it was very scary...

Then after seeing as many animals as we could within the day, we went to look around the Longleat house which was undeniably beautfiful! The gardens themselves are huge and there's an optional scenic walk which you can go on (If you have time that is!) The house was huge and included a lot of history inside, written and shown. The ceilings were so detailed and every room was different in terms of the way it was presented. Luckily my boyfriend has a canon photography camera so he took so many photos which I can keep for memories and show on my blog (All of these are his photos, I cannot take any credit of that)


After the house we found a maze which was supposedly meant to take 20 minutes, however took us 7. Probably because Harvey and I are masterminds when put together...


Overall I had the best weekend with the best company and I'm a very lucky girl!
*Photo creds to harvey*

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Autumn Base For Make-up

As it's slowly making its way from a summer we didn't really get; to hopefully a cool crisp autumn, it means I can put away the light make-up and bring out something a little heavier and full coverage. In summer I still wore a much loved smokey eye and cat eyeliner but the thing I change is definitely my make-up base which is why I wanted to post a few of my favourites products and what sort of things I wear as it gets brisk and cold outside.

In summer I would wear my Mac Studio Fix foundation on its own but as I want something with a bit more coverage I mix it with the Loreal Infallible 24h foundation. They not only do a nice selection of shades for my 'going-to-be' pale skin but a decent sized container with a very handy pump. My shades at the moment are NC15 and 125 Natural Rose (which is a tad dark without fake tan)

I use a pump of each after using a primer. Admittedly I am still looking for a primer which I love, therefore experimenting with a few I use the Body Shop Insta-Blur for my 'non-dry skin days' and the No7 instant illusions primer when my skin is dry, especially as it's getting cooler my skin is prone to dry in the cold weather. The Benefit Porefessional is brilliant however, I am currently out :(

After blending my primer mostly into my T Zone and chin, I blend my foundation in using the expert face brush by Real Techniques. This is my favourite brush from Sam and Nicks range and I feel does the best job for applying foundation.

After foundation I always conceal under my eyes, red areas and spots. To do this I stick with my old reliable collection concealers as to be honest I haven't really tried many others that I like. I use the shade 'fair' for under my eyes and around my nose and I use the shade 'cool medium' on spots and any other areas where I need maximum coverage. I've heard good things about the Nars Creamy Concealer and the Mac Concealers which I will definitely be trying out very soon. 

If I don't want too much of a dewy base, I'll powder with my Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in translucent as it's natural and not completely cakey, i'll apply that all over my face with my Real Techniques Powder Brush going sparingly on above my lips and tip of nose . Otherwise I'll go without (which is what i'll usually do) and go straight into blush, contour and highlighting!

That however is for another post... 

N x

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August Favourites

Me being me decided not to film my favourites for YouTube because not only do I not have the capability and software to do so, but the thought of trying to film it and upload it seemed a bit daunting (I'm not great with technology)

Which is why I'm here writing my August Favourites and telling you about many of the things I've found useful and overall have just loved for the past month.

There's three parts to this video, beauty, home and clothes/accessories, so instead of babbling on I'll get stuck into it (I like my posts to be chatty as if i'm actually talking to you, sorrry!)

BEAUTY

My first HAS to be the L'Oreal Telescopic Lash Mascara, I haven't gone to any other mascara since, two coats of this and my lashes are full, long and so voluminous (is that a word?) ALL DAY. This is also under £15 too and after trying mascaras from Smashbox, Benefit and Dior, I might as well just keep going with this because not only is it affordable but it's so worth its money. PLUS I never see any hype about this mascara; I don't know if this works well on just me or if I haven't been seeing anything because I don't look hard enough. I've inserted a picture of it on my lashes (With no eyeliner) so that you can see how well it works on my lashes; which are actually very short anyway.

NEXT favourite as I'm keeping with eyes is something that I've loved for many months now, the Maybelline colour tattoos, I have four, two of which are shimmery colours and two which are plain matte colours. My favourite, as always, is the shade On and On Bronze which is a gold tone brown with a shimmery finish. It stays put all day without fail and is build-able whether you want a subtle shimmer or if you want a rather opaque eyeshadow colour. These are also under £5 and boots usually have a 3 for 2 offer so why not pick up 3!

Next is something I've been using on my brows which is actually perfect. It's an eyeshadow I use to fill in my brows, as I have quite sparse and light brows, this colour is perfect as It still looks natural but you can style your brows to however you like them. I use MAC Coquette which is a muted medium brown with a slight grey tone so it's not a brassy colour at all (which is what I was trying to avoid!) It stays put pretty much all day until the end when I take my make-up off where it can look at little faded, however that's still a 14/15 hour wear which can push longer depending on how you apply it. I paid around £13 for this which is quite a lot for a single eyeshadow but seeing as I've barely touched the surface and I use it everyday. it's definitely a win for me! Well done MAC!

A product which I can barely call a favourite as I purchased it in the last week of August is the Smashbox duo of a blush and highlighter. I will admit I haven't used the blush as much as the highlighter but the couple of times I have used it I loved it (although it's very pigmented so I have to use a light brush) The highlighter however is amazing, it's a dark pearl coloured pink and could pass a blush but for using it to highlight I am SO impressed. It's shimmery but does look great with my skin tone and really does the job for the whole day. It also looks lovely with another original favourite which is the Soap and Glory Solar Powder (a bronzer/contour duo compact) there's two shades one being light and slightly shimmery and one which is a darker/warmer brown (matte) as well as the Smashbox duo, it lasts well and looks lovely with my skin tone.

I also believe they have new packaging for Solar Powder, thank goodness. I like  their idea of using paper and cardboard packaging but until it falls apart, it's not so great.. (Mine is pretty battered now)

Last beauty favourite is 3 lip products, again one which is my well loved MAC Faux lipstick, I've already re-purchased this because I wear it so often and I need a back-up for when it runs out but it's a pinky nude and has a satin finish which means it's not matte but not glossy and has a texture which fits perfectly in the middle. The longest lasting lipstick I've got from MAC and anywhere else really and at £15.50 it really is worth the money. The other two are the Clarins Instant light natural lip perfectors in the nude brown shade and the pink shade, they formulate like glosses but are slightly thicker and wear a lot longer. I really like these for keeping my lips moisturized and to wear on their own or over the top of a matte lipstick



.
HOME

Candles, candles, and more candles. It may be 'Summer' but here in the UK it doesn't seem it and as we're slowly but surely moving into autumn I cannot wait to be burning candles by the dozen. I haven't tried many brands of candles other than ones from little home stores I go to such as Dunelm (no idea if this is anywhere else) and Yankee, and of course, Yankee wins!
My favourites scents are definitely Baby Powder/ Clean Cotton/ Midnight Jasmine and Fluffy towels. As you can probably guess I like the fresh and clean sort of scents and I have the sampler size of them which actually burn for hours! I prefer this size compared to the jars as they keep their strong scent and you can swap them for different fragrances when you've used up the others,  They're also only a pound in ASDA so they're so incredibly cheap (although they don't do all of the scents)

Another favourite which might seem odd is actually this little house plant I picked up from homebase (you can get them from tesco, asda, anywhere really) and being only £1.50-£4 they last a good couple of months. It looks lovely on my window sill with my candles and just makes the room look a lot fresher, so weird or not, I love it!






CLOTHES/ ACCESSORIES
The first thing is these pair of chelsea boots I picked up from River Island, sadly they're not leather but despite that hopefully they will last a little while. They were £38 which for a pair of boots is great, leather or not. They just plain black and have an elasticated part to put them on and off which is a lot more efficient to slip on whenever rather than sitting for hours to tie up a pair of shoes. They're also SO comfy, I can do a full day of work in these without sitting down and my feet will barely be hurting by the end which isn't usually the case for me and heeled boots. WAHOO!

The last favourite is thin scarves, great for winter and for summer which is why I have a draw full of them. My favourite is definitely the one my mum got for me from NYC which is black and white and looks so nice which plain dresses or a casual outfit to make it look like you actually made an effort. Most clothes shops do these so It's best to see what ones you can find around.




Have a good September!
N x

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