What 2016 Has Taught Me...

Hey,

I have decided that it would be a good idea to finish this fairly awful year off with a blog post all about what I have learnt during these 365 days. 
Many people on the internet are relating 2016 to death and yes, many big celebrities and idols have passed away this year but I dont believe you can associate a whole entire year with death because many things have happened this year, despite it being good or bad. Everyone will have their own personal view on 2016 and what it has taught them but only some of us will be brave enough to write this down and post it on the internet for potentially thousands of people to read and cast their own views upon. 

So the first major thing I have learnt this year would be that something you have to step out of your comfort zone, now this can apply to hundreds of different situations. For me this year I have found myself a new job, started a new college, met new people who I now call my friends and one major thing for me is that now I can go up to a bar and order food myself, as silly as this may sound I have always had a fear of this, despite the fact I spend all day at work talking to strangers for some reason ordering food at a bar has always terrified me, well I can happily say that this no longer bothers me thanks to my persistent and patient boyfriend. 

The second thing that I have learnt this year is that something you simply 'outgrow' people... there may be people that you have been friends with for years that you haven't seen in a while and then when you do meet up again you realise you have simply grown apart and that is ok. It took me a while to accept this but everyone grows with their own individual experiences and they are what makes everyone unique, so its ok. 

Third thing I have learnt this year is sometimes you have to stick something out, when we first try something it is almost certain that we wont be amazing at our first attempt and lets be honest sometimes it seems like it would be easier to 'throw in the towel' and walk away never to attempt it again, but this isn't the answer. If you never attempt anything new, you won't grow as a person and achieve new things that you thought you never would and believe me, when you achieve these things it is the greatest feeling ever. 

Spend less time on social media... I know its ironic because you're reading this on a phone or laptop but trust me when I say, you'll feel better for not comparing yourself to photoshopped, gym going, unrealistic people. Being a blogger it is difficult to avoid comparing myself to others but I am happy with what I've got which is the main thing. Spending hours scrolling through Instagram comparing yourself and your life to others 'lives' will not do you any good.

And finally another big thing that I have learnt during these 365 days are that patience is everything but if you want something then go and do it, don't wait around for someone to 'lend you a hand. Inside everyone is a strong independent person that can achieve their dreams and goals. 
I never thought a year ago I would be doing a job that I love, making plans to move into a home with a person I love dearly and being simply satisfied with life.

Until next time,

Stormydoos




Plump lips and luscious lashes


Hey, 

I have been lucky enough to be able to review two great products for you all today. I have many more of these posts lined up for you all so please let me know your opinions (comment below or tweet me)

Lip voltage 'Mix Up The Voltage' -  Let's be honest a majority of us want big, plump lips, but how many of us are brave enough to face those dreaded filler needles. Im certainly not... So instead of having fillers I find that lip plumper gloss is a good substitute, it may not last weeks and weeks but it certainly gives you plump lips for a while. So if you want to see what you look like with plump, large lips then I highly suggest trying some lip plumper. There are many different brands of 'lip plumper gloss' but make sure you ALWAYS check the content of your product. The feeling may take a bit of getting use to but once you are familiar with the feeling it is a great product!


(Image taken by @stormydoos

DreamWeave Magnet Mascara Link - You know when you find a product that you simply couldn't recommend enough? Well this is one! A few of you may know if you follow me on twitter that a while a go I had a very bad experience with individual eyelash extensions (Severe allergic reaction) meaning that now I am not able to have lash extensions again as I simply won't risk my eye sight. For months now I have been trying to find a mascara substitute and I am extremely happy to say that I have finally found it. This mascara makes my lashes look insane, I have been asked numerous times if my lashes are my own and let me tell you, I get great pleasure in replying 'yes they are my own'. This product also contains no harsh chemicals and as far as I have found it seems fine for sensitive eyes.





Thank you to Gemma Denham from Beauty Boutique giving me these great products to review for you all.

*Sponsored post, all opinions are my own*

Until next time,
Stormydoos 

Meet Mia...


Hey,

So for anyone who knows me personally or follows me on social media will know that i've been dreaming about owning a black pug for as long as I can remember. 

Well on Wednesday this week my dream finally came true. I adopted Mia a 3 year old, pure black pug. 

I thought I owed you all an explanation as to why I have been quiet recently and getting Mia is one of the reasons why. Another reason is that I've recently started a new job, I am training as a Beauty therapist so I can assure you all that there will be lots of 'in depth' posts in the future about various beauty treatments and reasons behind them. 

For any of you who wants to follow Mia on her adventures you can follow her Instagram account - Mia's Instagram

Until next time,
Stormydoos 


Kylie Jenner Lipkits - My HONEST Opinion...


Hey,

Ok, so im usually not one to follow 'makeup crazes' and various other internet trends although there has been such a hype and demand for the Kylie Jenner Lip Kits that I figured I would give them a try...

I only purchased two matte liquid lipsticks because let's be honest, they cost a small fortune! I purchased the shades Dolce K and Candy K. The most difficult part of this process for me was choosing what shades I thought would suit my skin tone the best as I of a very pale complexion. The swatches that I have seen of Candy K I figured it would be almost the right shade for me skin, but this wasn't the case... Both shades are extremely dark and 'bold' on me which I personally do not like. 

Now onto the formula of the products, I have found that these lipkits don't last. I have found that they crack after a couple of hours and then I find myself having to take the product off, has anyone else had this problem? Although the mattes are extremely opaque and do have great pigmentation.

I hardly ever write bad reviews about brands but I must say on this occasion I feel it must be done, these liquid lipsticks aren't cheap they retail at $29.00 USD which is about £22.00 which is almost the price of a YSL lipstick which is of much better quality in my opinion. 

I will be listing both of these products on my DEPOP they have only been swatched and worn once. My depop username is 'stormydoos'

Until next time,
Stormydoos



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My Top 5 Places To Eat... (New Forest, UK)

Hey,

So I thought I would share with you all my top 5 local places to eat... To many of you this may not be of interest but it's always worth knowing just incase.

1: Prezzo (Romsey or Lyndhurst)
We all know that you can't go wrong with Prezzo... Personally for me I love the menu because I extremely enjoy seafood. When I go to a Prezzo Restaurant I usually have the 'King Prawn Risotto'.

2: 'The White Rabbit' in Lyndhurst
'The White Rabbit' in Lyndhurst is extremely underrated, every single time myself and my boyfriend pop in for some dinner the staff are incredibly friendly and simply can't do enough to help! They are also a small hotel so if you are thinking about visiting The New Forest I would recommend their beautifully refurbished rooms to anyone.



3: 'The Forage' in Lyndhurst
'The Forage' In Lyndhurst has only recently opened and it is really nice to have somewhere around that isn't your typical 'fast food' place. 'The Forage' specialise in healthy, local food which I must add is extremely tasty! Also the interior is to die for...



4: Rivaaz Restaurant in Lymington
You can't go wrong with an Indian Restaurant once in awhile, Rivaaz in Lymington provides very high quality Indian Cuisine, one of my favourite Indian Restaurants around!


5: Starskys Restaurant & Bar (Lyndhurst)
Starskys is an American themed Restaurant and you always know if you fancy a big burger and fries that you won't get higher quality food than in Starskys. Once again it is one of my 'Top 5 Places to Eat in The New Forest' because of the incredibly friendly staff that always make sure their customers are happy and that makes the experience so much better.




Please share with me in the comment your favourite places to eat locally or please recommend some places for others to try.

Until next time,

Stormydoos



June Favourites!

Hey,

So, I have decided it is about time that I wrote another Monthly Favourites post! So here we go... 


My first favourite of this month would have to be the 'St.Tropez' fake tan. I have only recently started using fake tan because I felt as so I was to pale and let's be honest, everyone looks healthier with a glowing tan. I will post some progress photos on my Instagram to show you all the difference from before I started using it compared to now. Many people stay away from using Fake Tan because they think it is going to turn out orange and streaky which is what I love about these products because it is a brown tone instead of orange and it has never once gone streaky!



Step 1 (left bottle); Exfoliant 
Step 2 (middle): Lotion
Step 3 (right); Bronzing lotion

My next favourite of this month would have to be Garnier Pure Active Exfo-Brush - Before I started using this a while ago I found that I was having breakouts and that my skin was very oily, after using this product a few times a week my skin feels fresh and rejuvenated. 



Next is something that adds a bit of colour to my face! I have never been a 'blush' kinda girl, I always use contour but never usually blush so this product for me was a complete trial and I really like it.
It is a creme blush instead of a powder which was also a strange idea for me because I usually always use powder based products. 



My next favourite of June is something a bit more on the pricey side but I feel it is definitely worth it. It is the 'Flash' fragrance by Jimmy Choo. Im not really sure how else to describe the scent of this perfume other than 'sophisticated'. This is the perfume that I will wear out for an evening, it isn't a 'everyday' perfume I feel.


These two products are probably some of my most used ones that I own. I have always been someone who loves eyemakeup and of course eyeliner plays a massive part in that! I have tried so many different jet black liquid eyeliners and this combination are definitely the best that I have found so far.


Now onto nail varnishes... Although I really love bright colours to wear on my nails I have really been loving these pastel summer colours by 'Barry M'.
These polishes last weeks and barely crack or chip and the colour range in the 'Gelly collection' are stunning.

(Left to right)
Sugar Apple, Coconut. Rose Hip and Blueberry.


And finally for this month' favourites I wanted to share with you all the white rustic pots that I bought from IKEA that are ideal to store makeup brushes in. They are metal and very sturdy, I am not entirely sure what they are called in store but they are definitely worth looking out for! 


Hope you all enjoyed this favourite' post and I will be blogging a lot more in the upcoming months!

Until next time,
Stormydoos

Spring/Summer Homeware Inspiration

Hey,

I have decided to do something different for this blog post, for those of you who love Homeware then keep reading!


I may not have my own home to fill with my favourite homeware items although that doesn't stop me appreciating minimalistic homeware. Personally in the summer I like to have 'no clutter'. If I was to have my own home It would have a very 'clean' and 'empty' feeling to it, despite this I would have items to make it feel homely and comfortable. 

If you couldn't find anything within those links that you like, here are some images for inspiration...

*not my own images*







Until next time,

Stormydoos
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Glossybox - March


Hey,

A new month means a brand new Glossybox to open...
Time to share with you all what was inside my Glossybox for the month of March.



First of all in my box I received the '-417' - 'Catharsis Vitamin Mineral Shampoo and Conditioner'
Retail Price: £16.89 each 
(Received travel size)
I have to admit when it comes to shampoo and conditioner I have never been 'adventurous' with my choices, I usually just use Tresemme but '-417' seems like a very good product, although I would not purchase the full size products as I feel they are extremely expensive, although I have only tried the travel size samples.


 Another product which I received was the 'Luxie' - 'Rose Gold Large Angled Face Brush 504' 
Retail Price: £10.42
(Received full size)
 'Luxie' - Rose Gold Angled Brush


One of my favourite products in this months box is the 'Hey Honey' - 'Good Morning Honey Silk Facial Serum' 
Retail Price: £28.81
(Received travel size)
'Hey Honey' Facial Serum
You can either apply this serum as a night cream or underneath your makeup before you apply it, within this serum is Honey and Propolis which both replenish and protects your skin.


I also got the 'Olay' - 'Luminous Skin Tone Perfecting Cream' 
Retail Price: £29.99
(Received travel size)
'Olay' - Luminous Cream



And the final product I recieved in my March Glossybox is the 'So Susan' - 'Light Diffuser' 
Retail Price: £14.00
(Received full size)
'So Susan' - Light Diffuser

This highlighter and bronzer duo is incredible! It is so pigmented and a lovely bronze colour. Perfect to contour and highlight with and just to add to its perfection, it also smells like cocoa!




Until next time,

Stormydoos
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Glossybox - February

Hey,
So I decided to sign up for the monthly beauty box subscription called 'Glossybox'. Many of you may be familiar with this subscription box, many 'Big Youtubers' and Beauty Bloggers review each months box when it arrives.

This post is not sponsored, I paid my own money for this subscription box.
If you would like to sign up for this box you can use my unique link - You're Welcome ;)


So, what did my Glossybox Include?

Floral Slanted Tweezers from 'The Vintage Cosmetic Company' 
Retail price: £8 
(Received full size product) 

HOW CUTE IS THIS FLORAL PATTERN!?



Power Pout Glaze Low Voltage Gloss by 'MUA' 
Retail price: £3.50 (
Received full size product)

This is such a gorgeous dark purple, pinky shade. This shade is called 'Allure'




Protective Hair Mask Volume Conditioner by 'Naobay' 
Retail Price: £10.64 
(Received 200ml 'Luxury Size' Product) 



Hydro Silk Razor by 'Wilkinson Sword'
Retail Price: £9.99 
(Received full size product)


24h Waterproof Eyeliner by 'Nicka'
Retail Price: £3.99 
(Received full size Product) 



*left Swatch unblended, right is blended*

I am going to be totally honest with you all and I paid £13.25 for this box (this price is included £3 postage, I think) I can honestly say I didn't think I would keep my subscription for this box, I thought it would be filled with branded items which simply aren't selling at the moment but I was so wrong! I am definitely keeping my subscription for this box because when you consider the amount of money you would pay for each of these products if you were to buy them separately it would be a lot more than the monthly cost for this subscription! I highly recommend Glossybox and don't forget you can sign up using my unique link Glossybox Invited by Stormydoos

Until next time,
Stormydoos