Leaving Full Time Education.

It has finally come to that time of year where exams have taken over my life (hence the blog taking a back seat). As of yesterday (25/05/18) I finished Sixth Form, so no more second year teaching for me. I have two exams left to sit now both in English Language.

However with half term now upon us I can take full advantage of an extra couple of hours where I would normally be chatting in class to write blog posts that I haven't had the opportunity to in what feels like forever! I thought coming back online I would start with what has prevented me from being online and talk about what college was like.

On a break from revision I went
for a walk around a lake
near my house and it is full of beautiful flowers.

I studied three subjects at sixth form: English Language, Medical Science and Health & Social Care. If you've been following my blog for a while then you will know that I am hoping to go to university in September and study to become a Children's Nurse which has been my dream for as long as I can remember. I might do a blog post soon talking about how I found this love and passion for wanting to care for other people because thats a whole other story.

When I first started college I loved all of my subjects, everything I did I enjoyed and I looked forward to going to class every week. As things started to get harder I started to struggle a lot more and wasn't seeing the outcome in my grades that I had wanted. I started to realise that the way I revised for GCSEs was not going to work for A-Levels and I took a new approach to learning everything.

I wrote a letter to myself after my AS exams last year because I felt like I had done absolutely terrible and it is saved as a draft blog post... Every time I started to feel as though I was struggling I would read this letter and it motivated me to work harder. I was very surprised at my AS grades because they were a lot higher than any grades I had had the whole year, one of my subjects increased by 3 whole grades which was ridiculous to me! I was so proud of myself for managing to set my mind on something and eventually achieve it and so I've tried to have the same mind set this year.

I've worked so hard towards my exams that I have had so far I just hope that this work pays off and I can get into university to pursue the dream I've always had.

Thank you to any of you that have stuck by me on this journey through my GCSEs and now my A Levels. Here's to you hopefully sticking around to find out if I get into university.



-Abigail x

The Lexicon Bracknell - Fashion Trends for SS18*

Three weekends ago now I was invited to the new shopping centre over in Bracknell called 'The Lexicon' for brunch and a chat about the upcoming Spring/Summer 2018 Trends with some lovely bloggers.

We sat in Coffee Barker, the coolest place I've ever eaten in to have coffee and a chat. I learnt all about what the fashion trends are going to be such as the pastel colours on EVERYTHING! Imagine mint choc chip ice-cream or strawberry ice-cream colour on a little t-shirt. Already I want all of these clothes! One item of clothing I already have that will be perfect for an England spring is the trench coat. It is light enough for the potential warm weather but also keeps you dry if it rains. There are many other fashion trends too such as tailored denim, sheer tops/dresses.. sheer everything, slip dresses, pencil skirts and lots of primary colours! I also learnt all about how plastic is going to stay with us until SS18, ready for the festivals. We chatted away  about how to style all of these items and what would work best together. My favourites definitely have to be the pastel colours, the primary colours and definitely the pencil skirts because I love wearing skirts in the summer! We were given a voucher to spend called the 'Lexicon Gift Card' which can be used in pretty much all of the shops. There are so many different stores to chose from including the big department store Fenwicks which contains everything high end that your heart could desire! I picked up a few pieces from Topshop ready for spring focusing on the primary colours because I knew I could then pair these with bright items another time. 

I somehow stuck to blue and picked up a gorgeous Checked Frill Waist Mini Skirt* which was predominately white but had blue and red lines throughout to make it checked. It also as two gorgeous buttons at the top of it, which adds that little bit of extra detail. To go with this skirt I picked  out a blue (surprise surprise) cropped top*, which also had a slight frill in the sleeves and along the hem line. This featured the word dreamer across the left of the chest which was embroiled in some bright colours. After doing some shopping in Topshop I couldn't not head home without at least looking around Fenwick's. 'Accidentally' I picked up a new tube of my favourite Urban Decay Concealer* and finally the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation* so that I can try it out. 

The Lexicon has such a variety of shops that it would suit anyone and anyone. There is also lots of things to do there while you shop including: dining out, cocktails (Coffee Barker serves them in the evening, I need to go back!!) a cinema and so much more! 

At the moment there is a game over in 'Princess Square' called Beat The Clock where you have the chance to win from over 5,000 different discounts and prizes, to spend in all of the shops that they have available. If you are at The Lexicon then make sure you check it out because you never know what you might win, meaning you can head home with something amazing!

I am definitely going back to The Lexicon for my shopping now because of the wide variety of places to shop. If you want to find out more about The Lexicon you can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I couldn't not have a Peach Bellini as a pitstop drink before heading home!

- Abigail x

The Best Highlighters - For That Popping Glow.

Everyone loves having that 'popping' highlighter and the shimmering look when the sun hits the top of their cheek bones perfectly. In my opinion, highlighters have definitely grown in the beauty industry over the past 6 months. I always notice someones popping cheek bones and chiseled nose if i stare long enough... creepy I know. I've been trying to find my favourite highlighter for so long now and I have finally narrowed it down to my top 3, which none the less look rather similar... apart from one being slightly more pink toned.

Champagne Pop by Becca Cosmetics has to be the most sought after highlighter of summer 2016. When I was over in the United States of America, I had to visit at least 4 different Sephora's before I could find one that had Champagne Pop in stock. Let me tell you, it was the best wait I had ever made. The rose gold shimmer and gold speckles, make such a beautiful colour. The highlighter blends so seamlessly onto the skin and is a subtle glow. The colour is definitely buildable and the more of a POP that you want then the more I'd recommend you apply! The texture of the Becca highlighter is so buttery like a cream highlight but is a powder.. it's so confusing but so beautiful so I don't mind. 

(swatches are at the bottom!)

Next has to be the Mary-Lou Manizer by The Balm, which is the perfect golden shimmer. Not only is this highlighter the perfect shade it is also the most affordable highlighter I have ever found, especially when it goes on sale practically every month over at FeelUnique.com. The highlight is so powerful and pigmented you hardly need much but I still layer it on and go through so many of them (If you follow me on Instagram you would've seen I keep buying them). Like I said this highlighter is so affordable especially for something of such high quality and its long wearing durability like it is a high end highlighter.

(swatches are at the bottom!)

Dripping in Gold by Anastasia Beverly Hills from the That Glow, Glow kit is also one of my favourite highlighters because of the brightness that is given off. Dripping in gold is on the right hand side above and even though Bubbly has hit pan I never reach for it anymore I tend to go for Dripping in Gold because it comes off slightly warmer and is more golden. The Anastasia highlighters are all so beautiful but Dripping in Gold looks like you have a gold glittery bar on your cheek bones, its so beautiful. If you wanted something slightly pricier than this is definitely a good option but you do get four highlighters so it is worth it if you will you them all. The bright yellowy/gold highlight, Sunburst I only use in my inner corner of the eye for a pop but apart from that I think it would look best on paler skin.

(swatches are at the bottom!)

So if you skipped reading anything I wrote above then here are the swatches for all three of the amazing highlighters. The top photo is without a flash and the bottom is with a flash. As you can see Champagne pop is slightly pinker in colour than the other two however they are all so gorgeous I can't resist the temptation to wear them all.

-Abigail x

Cleaning Your Makeup Brush's Just Got Easier*

Everyday I like to change up my eye makeup because it allows you to be creative. However it is such a hassle, having to keep cleaning your brushes in-between each creation. Well beautyessentials have saved my butt here, all because of their Shadow Switch. The Shadow Switch not only cleans your brushes but it is also eco-friendly, hygienic and reliable! For only £5.99 you can clean your brushes so easily without having to use any water or solution! I tried out two of my brushes below so you can see the comparison.

I use this makeup brush way too often for a brown crease. This week I decided right before college I wanted to have a pink/red crease but all my brushes are brown/black from the previous couple of days. Out I whipped my shadow switch to give my brushes a swirl around. Within seconds of swirling the dry brush, on the dry sponge, it was clean. When I then put the brush into a pink tone there wasn't a single trace of brown so I was rather impressed!

One of my most used brushes has to be there for applying glitter to my eyelid. I wasn't expecting the shadow switch to take out any of the glitter as I struggle when cleaning my brushes with a solution to clear all the glitter but this did a much better job than I anticipated! The brush has no trace of the golden/copper glitter so I can dip straight in to a different crazy colour.

Beautyessentials have recently changed their packaging (this being the old packaging) to have something a lot more simple, that can also have more added to it. Make sure you head over to the amazon page so you can see what new exciting things they will be releasing!

The Shadow Switch would also be really handy if you are going away on holiday for at least two weeks. You could easily keep up with the cleaning of your brushes, without having to worry about a liquid solution running all over you clothes in a suitcase.

-Abigail x

Beautiful Summer Bouquet!*

England’s weather is pretty awful. Today especially, it is supposed to be sunny yet it is peeing it down with rain and has been since I woke up however many hours ago! One thing that can make any room seem a lot more like summer is flowers. I love the smell of flowers *sneezes* even if the pollen count is high, effecting my hay fever but it’s okay right... because flowers are pretty! 

I got sent the most gorgeous bouquet from Prestige Flowers called the Grandeur and also added in was a pink vase and some incredible mini praline chocolates. When you order flowers from them they also send a care guide telling you how to look after the flowers which for someone like me who managed to kill a cactus was really helpful! There is also a card telling you a little bit about all the flowers which also was helpful as I know about four.

The flowers arrived really quickly which shocked me because I thought it would be at least a week but really it arrived the next day! One thing that makes me nervous about ordering flowers online is that they will arrive damaged and id has to throw them out but my order from Prestige Flowers came secured in a tall box and wasn't damaged at all! There was also the quote above attached inside and it made me chuckle so I thought I would share it with you as well!

My bouquet has lasted over two weeks and is still going strong. The guide that it came with definitely helped because otherwise they would be dead the next day! If you want to order this bouquet then it is currently reduce from £49.99 to £34.99 so get it while you can at the lower price! The bouquet would be a lovely gift for a birthday or an anniversary! 

Thank you Prestige Flowers for such a beautiful bouquet I love it to pieces!

-Abigail x

Blogger Interview - andlaurenanne

Hello Lovelies,

Previously I had the opportunity to interview the lovely author Katarina West (you can read that here!) and it was one of my favourite things to do. So I thought today why not change is up a bit and interview a fellow blogger.

andlaurenanne also known as Lauren, has recently changed her whole platform and layout, to something incredibly sophisticated and it looks incredible! I am so jealous of how it looks! Anyway I have known Lauren before she became a blogger and she is incredibly sweet! I feel like everyone needs to make sure they check out her blog after she has answered my questions!

1.       Share a fact with my blog readers that you think many others don’t know about you?

 

I suffer from chronic nightmare syndrome because of my anxiety.

 

2.       If you had to describe your blog in 5 words what would they be?

 

Important – Because it is an important part of me

Creative – I have recently re-designed my blog and I love the new layout!

Outlet – I love to write down my thoughts and ideas on a little space I call my own.

Personal – I can write whatever I want and no-one can stop me.

Profile – Shows who I am and what I love.

3.       What motivates you to write?

 

Abbie. Jokes. Trying new things and wanting to share it with everyone... Even if it goes wrong. Also when I’ve kept things in my head for a while and then need to let of some steam, I find it easier to just type away and put it all in a blog post. 

 

4.       What are your favourite posts to write?

 

Tips posts because they don’t have to be about anything in particular but I can share things I know work.

 

5.       If you could only ever use one product for the rest of your life which would it be from make-up, hair, skincare e.t.c?

 

Cleanser because I hate the feeling of my skin being dirty.

 

6.       What type of person would you visualise reading your blog?

 

Girls around my age… I’m not really sure who else would read it!

 

7.       What one thing can you not live without and why?

 

Make-up or friends… *insert cry laugh emoji here* both I love but in different ways.

 

8.       What advice would you give to any newbie bloggers?

 

I would say to make sure your pictures are of good quality and don’t give up!

 

9.       Who inspires you… day to day as well as in the blogging world?

 

Amelia Liana and Estee Lalonde. Both are huge inspirations to me, I have looked up to them for a long time.

 

10.   What can you see happening in the future for your blog?

 

I want to continue it for a long time but I don’t see it being a full time thing.

 

Thank you ever so much to Lauren who allowed me to interview her for today’s post! I hope you have enjoyed something slightly different! Her Links are below:

Blog

Youtube

Instagram

 

 

-Abigail x

 

 

D.I.Y 2015 Pin board!

Hello lovelies!

I hope you have been enjoying 2016 so far! Today’s post is going to be on something I haven't done in a while and that is a D.I.Y post! My first ever D.I.Y post I showed you how to customise your house key and it was ever so simple. Well todays post is as simple as that. So long as you have what you need then it is simple! I'm going to show you a way to personalise your bedroom with memories of 2015! I always see these ideas floating around so I wanted to create my own!

I simply went online and ordered a pin board, drawing pins (rainbow coloured of course), photos and a quote! They are all linked if you click on the name but if not wait till the end.

I started by spreading out my photos and quote in the areas that I thought they looked best. I used pictures that looked like Polaroids and I ordered them off an app on my iPhone called LALALAB. It was simple to use and you just uploaded the photos from your camera roll. I paid 22p per photo which could have writing added so I thought that was really good! If you didn't want to use Polaroid styled photos then you can use normal 6x4!

Then I obviously added in the pins and neatened up the pictures.

And I had created a cute pin board of my memories of 2015. I'm going to hang this on my wall above my dressing table so I always see it and then add some fairy lights over the top because it makes my room feel all cosy!

You can also add any other memoirs you may have of 2015. I might add tickets from concerts or important notices!

I hope you have enjoyed this post and leave a comment below if you try creating your own pin board or tweet me @_abigailjessica!

Polaroids: http://www.lalalab.com/

Pin Board: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0072FK9N4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Pins: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/604035965X?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Quote: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252135209326?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=550974093601&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

-Abigail x

Whole Primark Outfit For Under £25!

 

Hello Lovelies!

I ventured out of my bed a few days ago to go and explore the after Christmas sales. I couldn’t find anything I liked in Topshop or River Island so I thought I would have a look in Primark. I always pick up the basics in Primark like vest tops and pyjamas. But I found some bargains!

My dress wasn’t in the sale but it was only £10! I thought this was a bargain so I picked it up. The colour is a dark grey which has been washed out with white and lighter grey bits. When I’ve bought dresses from Primark before they always are a bit see-through but this dress wasn’t at all. The style of the dress is a polo neck swing dress.

I also picked up some shoes. I was looking for some fake Chelsea boots if you like because I didn’t want to splash out on some and then not like them! However I found these first and fell in love! They were supposed to be £18 but were £12 in the sale. The bottom of the boot is rigid and they have a slight chunky heel. The laces it comes with are black and white vertical stripes. This matches my dress perfectly! The only thing I will say is they came up rather large so instead of a 6 I bought a 5!

The socks I’m wearing are the cutest things I have ever seen. THEY HAVE EARS OKAY. My mum picked these out for me at Christmas. It came in a pack of three with some normal trainer socks with owls on them. I believe they would have cost £2.50 because that’s the average price in Primark but I’m not too sure as they were a gift.

Obviously I can’t link the products because you have to go in-store to Primark!

I hope you have enjoyed this outfit post! IF you want to know what make-up I’m wearing then feel free to comment below and let me know and I will do so!

Also thank you so much to Lauren for taking the photos on my Canon 1200D with the 50-300mm lens! 

Laurens blog: www.andlaurenanne.co.uk

Laurens Channel: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC8R55_33cjD6hPBsGrF7ggA

-Abigail x

18th&19th: Dyeing my hair! *Blogmas 2015*

Hello lovelies!

So yesterday I sat down with Lauren and Annie to dye my hair. I used the L'Oreal Paris Casting Crème Gloss in the shade 603 Chocolate Caramel. 

I filmed the whole thing in a vlog style video with the help of Lauren which you can check out below to see how I turned my mousey brown hair into dark brown/auburn. There is also images!

Before:

After:

-Abigail x 

12th: Books I want to Read in 2016?! *Blogmas 2015*

Hello lovelies,

So now that it is only 13 days till Christmas I’m already thinking of the New Year. I know I’m ‘wishing my life away’ as everyone says but I want next year over but to also never end. Of course next year I have my exams which I am incredibly nervous about already... I can’t stop thinking about them.

But I also don't want next year to end. By taking exams it means embarking on a new adventure to sixth form. That in my mind I was thinking about my New Years resolution's and seeing as I want to be more prepared I decided to plan now. 

If you know me you know that I love to read books. So one of my goals is to read 100 books. I have constructed a list from various different websites and now I can't wait for the year to begin. 

One of the websites I used was the BBC because they have a Big Read top 100! The link is below!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml

If you could only read one book for the rest of your life what would it be and why? Leave a comment below!

-Abigail X

8th: My top 10 christmas films!

Hello lovelies,

Today’s blog post is going to be my top ten recommendations of Christmas films. As soon as school has finished I spend my days laid in bed eating celebrations with all my favourite films on repeat.

 

Because I obviously have enough time to watch them all I thought I should let you all know my favourites!

1.       Love Actually

2.       Elf

3.       Santa Clause

4.       Mickeys twice upon a Christmas

5.       The Polar Express

6.       The Holiday

7.       Home Alone

8.       The Muppets Christmas carol

9.       The nightmare before Christmas

10.   Nativity

Let me know in the comments below what your favourite is and if you have ever watched any of them!

 

-Abigail x

4th: Winter/Christmas GRWM! *Blogmas 2015*

Helloo lovelies!

So about a week ago now I posted a video onto a small place called You Tube.

For ages now I have wanted to work up the courage and do this, I've never had enough confidence.. worried about how people around me are going to act. I then told myself to stop being silly and think that I can get out of my current school in less than 6 months. I then stepped out of my comfort zone and recorded an outfit and makeup get ready with me.

Without further or do I present to you... my first ever video:

I apologise for the poor quality and minimal editing it was my first attempt and I'm sure I can get better if I continue.

Let me know what you thought of the video below also if you'd like me to make any others?!

-Abigail x

3rd: Benefit Advent Calendar! *Blogmas 2015*

 

Hello lovelies! 

So it is now the third day of December and I feel like now everyone is getting excited, the days are dragging out and getting excessively slower! Of course today is going to be a review of the product I received in my benefit calendar! 

So this morning I opened my calendar to find the Benefit Total Moisture Face Cream. Being the morning I obviously applied this after washing my face. I found that it wasn’t too greasy and once it had soaked in it wasn’t shiny.  

I applied some makeup over the top of the moisturiser and it helped to keep my foundation on longer which is a big bonus from me. Upon returning from school this evening I showered and washed all my make-up off. Then I applied some of the moisturiser again. It creates a smooth texture over your skin as well as making it super soft! Can we also please talk about how cute the packaging is of the mini one! It is adorable!! 

I’m hoping that it will also help to clear up some of my skin but I will have to get back to you on that one.

Leave a comment below on your favourite moisturiser as I love to always try new ones!

-Abigail x