So originally I was going to blog about Christmas, and I do still plan on doing that, but a recent thought has gotten me thinking and thus me wanting to write about it.

So, it's occurred to me lately just how much I think about others. And I'm not calling myself a saint, nor am I saying that by thinking of others I am never thinking about myself. Of course it is good to think of others- more people should do so. It's just sometimes, along the way, some of us get so caught up in other people's lives or problems or needs, that we forget to stop and take care of our own. Sometimes we run from the things we know we have to do by using other people's issues as diversions from our own.

I, myself, tend to focus greatly on what others are doing and how it effects me. Or planning my life around other people. This often includes waiting around for people, and listening out for answers from them. In the process of constantly waiting, I could have done several things- but because my mind is focused purely on them, I feel like I cannot possibly get on with my life, until they have arrived, or answered for example. Does this make sense?

So I thought about my own life. My goals, my ambitions and my feelings. And although I love thinking about others and putting their needs before my own, I rarely get time to think about myself and plan what I do. My life is constantly controlled by other people, whether they know it or not. My actions are always influenced my other people and when I am by myself I often find myself thinking about what others would think or how they perceive me, or even what they may be up to. And although it is a very tricky habit to shake, I think it is important sometimes to be a bit selfish- not in a nasty way, but by loving ourselves and giving ourselves attention, we should begin to feel more at peace with our lives.

We shouldn't have to worry or plan our lives solely on other people. Having people in our lives should be seen as a gift, not a burden on our lives. We should care for others for sure, but sometimes it is acceptable to put ourselves first. To be able to forget all our queries and worries or stresses about family or friends, even for just a few hours to focus on ourselves, would truly be refreshing. So many people spend their lives looking after others, when really they should be looking after themselves.

So from now on, always remember to take time to treat yourself, pamper, or spend some time just being you. And if you are the type of person who always seems to be being looked after- maybe take some time to think about the people looking after you and thank them for being so selfless and loving.

Okay so as well as battling with Uni deadlines, I've taken it upon myself to write a little post for all you beauty lovers out there. Now I'm not promising a break through of the century or anything grand, but I did buy some new make-upy things the other week so I thought I would share my thoughts to all.

SO the story goes, I ran out of powder (oo so interesting). I know right, this sounds like such a first world problem- and it is! But anyway, I work weekends, and I like my make-up to be as hard wearing as possible. This usually means wearing powder. Now I don't know whether it's just my face or not, but make up never stays on well, even ones that promise they will. Maybe I touch my face far too often I don't know. The point is... I needed/wanted a new powder.

Now I'm a student, so I was never planning on splurging on something like Maybelline or Rimmel. I wanted something that was cheap, easy and did it's job and would perhaps last until I could afford a better one etc.

So I took an early morning, brisk walk to big ASDA (saying that, I've never really seen a small one). I didn't find anything there, although we did buy some vinegar (exciting). So next I went to Superdrug, and I was superhappy (see what I did there? Terrible I know) as I didn't realise there was a Superdrug near ASDA. I went in there and I discovered a brand which I think I'd only ever come across once before and had totally forgotten about. MUA.

This brand was so cheap AND they were doing a 3 for 2 deal which is great. I didn't really need 3 things but I thought 'what the hell'- naughty I know. But it all came to less than £10 so it wasn't bad at all!

Here are my purchases:

Mua- Make Up Academy- Pressed Powder- Colour: Natural

https://www.youtube.com/user/Crunchlins

Hello, me again.

Recently it's occurred to me, that I don't look after myself enough. And by this I mean I always worry too much or care too much about others or what others think, that I don't have time for myself. And to be honest it does no good to be like that. For once in my life I want to do things for myself and focus on MY life and MY future and MY present.


I think a lot of people are like this. Although it still shocks me how many people aren't and how many people have cared about themselves ONLY all their lives. To be honest I believe it to be a selfish life, but in the end they probably end up happier. Like Billy Joel says in his song 'Vienna' (my favourite song) ' Only fools are satisfied'. These lyrics are starting to appeal to me more and more. I'm fed up of always focusing on others and negativity.

Now I'm not saying we should stop caring about others. Not at all. I'm saying it's good to take a step back once in a while and focus on what we want and what we want to do. People who this post speaks out to might feel as though they think everything through too much and worry about the 'what ifs' or the 'maybe this means this..' when in reality it probably doesn't. So we all need to relax and let things play out more rather than playing them out in our heads first and assuming that is how things are.

I am currently in the process of doing this. I still care and love the people around me but I'm trying to learn to love myself more. My best friend recently brought me a wonderful book called ' You Can Heal Your Life' by Louise Hay. She writes about how all our problems in our lives can be linked to the lack of love we give ourselves and if we all start to love and appreciate ourselves more, then the issues we have or see will gradually become less powerful. I love this idea don't you?

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who feels like this!!

Speak soon loves X

It's that time of the year again when everyone seems to be or get ill- I know I am. I can't seem to shake whatever it is that I have. It can make you feel really glum, so for those of you who are stuck for ideas on how to feel better, here are a few of my tips:

1.) Get plenty of sleep, but don't over sleep. This one is a general rule in life to be honest. Not enough sleep and too much sleep can make you tired. Tiredness can lead to so many things and may be one of the reasons you're ill, or could be contributing to your immune system not working as well. So go to bed, get snuggly!

2.) Drink plenty- especially things with vitamins in. So this could be orange juice or vitamin water, whatever takes your fancy. Keeping hydrated is important in keeping your body healthy, so make sure you keep a bottle next to you at all times when ill- who cares if you keep needing to pee!

3.) Be happy. Now this may seem like I'm asking a lot. However when we're ill we feel really sad and moody, but if we try and do nice things and enjoy ourselves whilst ill, we'll start to feel better in ourselves. For example being happier could include finding a good boxset to watch whilst you're sat in bed drinking a lemsip, or it could be a nice walk down to the beach or park!

4.) Pamper yourself. Have a bubble bath and put a face pack on. Maybe use some gradual bronzing lotion to make you feel glowy and healthy on the outside, even if you're not feeling great on the inside. Pampering could even include treating yourself to a take away- these will also make you happier (see above).

5.) Wrap up warm. If you're ill, being cold is only going to make things worse (usually). So when you go out, put a coat and scarf on and don't go out with wet hate- death trap!

6.) Use the time you're cooped up inside to be productive- perhaps read a book or finish off some work you've been meaning to do.

7.) Have a hot lemon drink. My auntie introduced me to these, and they are lush. Use half a lemon, or a whole lemon , squeeze out the juice into a mug. Then pour hot water in, and add sugar and/or honey. It makes you feel so much better. Lemon is good for phlegm as it helps cut through it- meaning a clearer throat!

8.) Don't stress. Stressing makes you ill. So NO!

9.) Look up videos of cute puppies or kittens, because, well they make everyone feel better don't they? So look at how cute they are with their little ears and their little toes! Awh!

10.) Be comfy. Don't worry about dressing in your finest clothes. Take advantage of your illness and wear baggy comfy clothes- so much better!!


So I hope these have helped, even though I'm pretty much telling you what you already know, but hey ho!

X

So I've been terrible at keeping up with my blogging schedule recently *smacks hand* and I keep apologising but that's because I genuinely feel bad. It feels so weird not blogging, now that I've been doing if for so long! I'm saying this now, and I hope I can keep my word, that I am going to be getting back on track as soon as possible. Things are crazily busy now as I not only have Uni, but now have work to go to as well- ah busy bee!

So anyway, I thought today I'd just chat about what I've been getting up to and how I feel about life and things really- nothing too serious. It's occurred to me recently how precious life is, and how much it means to us. If it meant nothing then we would feel nothing, yet we feel so many different emotions every single day. Life is messy and its tough,but it is also beautiful and fascinating.

It's been lovely to move back down to Portsmouth ( about a month ago), and we've been really lucky as the weather has been brilliant, however I sort of feel not in the mood for summer anymore... do you know what I mean. Of course it isn't summer anymore, it's actually Autumn, but when I moved back down, it was still technically summer, and the sun was glaring down and the sea was sparkling and lush. But now that my summer holidays are over I am looking forward to the colder months, where you can snuggle up and be cosy. I get too hot and bothered if it's hot when I'm not in the mood for it. Not that I have ANY control over this of course!

But, its been nice wandering down to the seafront nevertheless. We even played on the arcades last week, like we did this time last year a lot. Oh the nostalgia! We won these really creepy looking Mario-kart rip off toys. But then again I wasn't expecting much from a 2p machine.

So what have you all been up to recently?

Don't worry I'm still writing!

Speak to you soon loves! X

2nd year highlights the fact that the fun year is over. Of course all of your years will be fun, but gone are the days where you can be a little care free and not worry about anything. This year you can't miss anything as it all counts for your final grade and you suddenly realise how much more effort you need to put in this year compared to last.

My 2nd year thoughts:

1.) I worked hard last year. Damn you mean I have to work even harder?!


2.) Bills? Seriously, I wanted a McFlurry this week, but now I can't afford one!

3.) On second thoughts, oo a McFlurry!


4.) Scrap that I spent my last pound on a snakebite!


5.) Eugh I have to read meters and be sparing with water and electricity!



5.) Why do I live so far away from Uni?!

6.) You mean I have to go to Uni AND have a job like an adult? Whaaa?

7.) I feel as though I haven't slept in years!


8.) Why are these stairs so steep?

9.) Owh I've run out of mugs... I'll just buy some more. Oh wait I can't- I have no money!

10.) These walls are thin.

11.) My bag is so heavy!

12.) Why so early?

13.) Oh more bills...


14.) We're going out tonight? Oh okay, sorry I forgot that I wasn't allowed sleep at University!

15.) I wish it was last year!

Sometimes we fill our lives with social plans and studies and work, that we forget about one very important thing- relaxation. We may feel like we have no time for it or that cramming lots of activities into small amounts of time is the same as relaxing as you are spending your 'free time'. However free time can be seen and used in different ways.

In my opinion, free time is what I call the time I spend alone relaxing by myself and doing the little things that I want to do- like watching my favourite show or playing my guitar. To others free time may be what they call their social life. Or they may be one of those people who HAS to be doing something social to be having a good time and feel relaxed.

I am here to express the importance of relaxation. Which I'm sure you all already know, but as I sit snuggled up in my duvet at 5pm on a Tuesday, I have decided that I want to stress how wonderful it is to 'chill' and relax. It's just so cosy and warm and makes all the little things and problems go away for a while. I'm not suggesting you run away from problems but sometimes you want to just curl up and that's okay!


I believe it is important to spend time by yourself, whether it be napping, shopping, jogging etc whatever it is you like doing. This is because sometimes we spend so much time helping others or listening to others that we forget to listen to ourselves. We need time alone in order to catch up with ourselves and think about what it is that we want, and how we feel. You need time to gather your thoughts and organise your time so that stress is gradually eliminated.

So next time you have a few hours free, instead of planning outings or social events, take some time to be by yourself and enjoy your own company. You'll feel more refreshed and calm and happier about your routine and life. Time alone sometimes can be good for you! :)

Sorry folks, I've been slacking again haven't i? To be fair I have recently moved back to Portsmouth and into a house! Exciting.

I've been really naughty and haven't blogged much recently, and it's been like the first time I've ever not been on track with my schedule so I apologise. It's just been one of those rough times I suppose when we can't exactly explain why they are rough, but it seems every stress comes at once. Hopefully it'll end soon. Settling back into University and what not hopefully will bring routine ba

ck into my life. I'm going to be crazily busy though, which will suck, but I suppose it is good to keep yourself busy!

So how have you all been in my absence? Good I hope, I've missed you all, whoever 'you all' are!

I've been thinking a lot recently about stress and anxiety and worries, and have pretty much come to the conclusion that they all suck! I think everyone will agree with me on that one. I recently wrote about some tips on coping, and whilst they are good I think its putting tips into practise that is the tricky bit.
But what about you all?

 Do you have any tips?

How do you all cope with stress, and worries?

I'd love to hear from you! I'm sat cosied up in my lovely new double bed in my new house, watching IT Crowd, even though I've seen it way too many times, but it never gets boring! I originally came to bed because I felt ill, but a couple of hours later and I'm still watching TV and am now talking to you. I don't know who all of you are, and you don't really know me that well, but I have to say that I enjoy your company and it's nice to be writing to you!  I think as writers we feel that writing is our way of expressing ourselves and even if no one is reading, just writing issues down or things we struggle to say are in a way a method of getting rid of our worries.

My point is, whatever it is that helps you get through something or calms you down, you should do it. Be it writing, jogging, seeing friends etc, it's definitely worth it. I want to write much more about this as it's a topic I feel very strongly about!

Being worried or stressed is pointless. Being happy is worthwhile.

It has occurred to me that I am yet to apologise for last week's lack of blogging. It's been a tricky week to say the least. You know when all the little things get to you because all the bigger things have taken over? Yeah that's what I was experiencing and am still experiencing at the moment.

Sometimes in life there will be hard times but we all have to remember that we are never alone and that a problem shared is a problem halved. It's not the end of the world if you don't feel like doing anything and just want to curl up in a ball (unless the apololypse is near then it actually could be the end of the world). There will be happy days and sad days but that is normal of our humanly nature, so don't worry if you feel down. We often feel as though we will always be sad once we are, but that is not true in the slightest. Happiness will always over come sadness- a bit like how rock beats scissors. Think of yourself as the rock- strong. And the scissors as all the daggers life throws at you. Rock always beats scissors. You have the power to do anything. So when you're feeling down just remember this!

Sorry for the odd post but I felt today I needed to express my absense! Love you all!
X

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Answer every question
Tag 5-11 other bloggers
Create 11 questions for them to answer

Demi's Questions to me

1-What is your favourite makeup brand?

That's a tricky one. I'm definitely a fan of Mabelline New York, but I also love budget brands such as Natural Collection from Boots!

2-What is your favourite blog?

I love Sprinkle of Glitter. She's so down to earth and lovely!
3-Where do you see yourself this time next year?

About to start my final year of uni. Hopefully with a bit more money to my name, and hopefully lots more of my lovely followers!

4-If you could have any animal in the world for a pet what would it be?

I'd say dog, because I've had them and I loev them. But to be different I'd say a sloth.

5-if you had to paint your nails one colour for the rest of your life, what colour would you choose?

6-What is your favourite song?

My all time favourite would have to be Vienna by Billy Joel, it speaks to me on so many levels, and has helped me pull myself together when I've needed to!

7- Where in the world would you love to visit?

I've always wanted to go to Australia.

8-What is your favourite clothes shop?

You can't beat Primark when you're a student!

9-What is the best season and why?

I love winter, becauseyou don't have to worry about a 'beach bod' and it means loves of snuggles, blankets and films!10-Who is your celebrity style icon?

Got to be Jennifer Lawrence, she's just brilliant of ALL levels!

11-If you won £10,00 what would you spend it on?

Fresher's week is always a much awaited time for students to-be. For a lot of students, it offers a chance to be wild and free, and a perfect way to celebrate living away from Mum and Dad. It's hard to know what to expect before experiencing it as it is not the same as going on a one off night out. Here are some things you can expect from 'Fresher's week'- or in some Universities' case 'Fresher's Fortnight':


1.) Fresher's flu is NOT a myth. You WILL get ill during your first few weeks. This is because there are so many people, all in a new environment, and it is easy to spread germs and illnesses.

2.) You will be handed flyers everywhere you go and you will end up with a room full of them by the end of the week.

3.) Foam parties can be dangerous if you're not overly tall!

4.)Your halls will look worse for wear when you wake up every morning.

5.) Queues will be massive and you will wonder, when you finally get in, if your first year is already over because you've been standing in the queue for that long.

6.) Everyone is overly friendly. Be careful.

7.)You'll eat a lot of fast food.

8.)You'll get sick of your 'Fresher's Week' wristband getting soaked every time you shower, wash your hands or wash up, and staying wet for the rest of the day.

9.)Flat/House parties will probably end up being better than the events.

10.) You may not make it into all of your University lectures. Or if you do, it's probably because you have just stayed awake from the night before.

11.) Fresher's Fayre will make you feel like you are a herd of cattle, and you'll feel as though someone will 'moo' at any given moment.

12.) You'll have been persuaded to enter an empty night club, just because you were all too polite to walk away.

13.) Even if you haven't gone out, you won't sleep due to all the racket going on outside- both from club music and people having arguments in the courtyards at 4am.

14.) All your shoes will be sticky from people spilling their drinks down you whilst you try to squeeze past them to go to the toilet when in night clubs.

15.) And finally, you'll realise you've spent too much money, and you'll try to make a plan where you live off £5 a week- which only one day later won't work out as you've bought another kebab to 'save on washing up', when we all know it's because you're too lazy to cook.

We spend all year waiting for our summer holidays whether they be a sunny beach holiday or a bagpacking scottish wildlife holiday, we can't wait to start packing. But are you ready for your holiday? Some of our holidays can be very costly and it seems too much to pamper ourselves before we go, even though we may need it. However not all beauty products are expensive. Here are my budget beauty tips and holiday essentials that will assure that you are ready for your much deserved holiday without splashing out too much cash!

Before you go:

Boots Simply Sensitive range will assure your skin will be squeaky clean, fresh and nourished just in time for your holiday. Simply Sensitive's face wipes are perfect for popping in your holiday bag for quick make up removal!

So a few years ago I used to bleach my hair. It was almost white, and I kept bleaching it when my roots came through. I really didn't know that much about hair and hair care, and soon enough I started to notice my hair seemed to be getting shorter. 'How could this happen?' I'd question. I didn't realise that hair could break off or fall out due to damage from hair dying and bleach. My parents told me I was probably imagining it, but after a while we knew I wasn't. My hair was so badly damaged that it would just snap off at the ends and wouldn't get any longer- not good considering it was already short and I was aiming to grow it.


I knew that no amount of hair care would help this, so I took the huge decision to have a big hair cut. I had to have it all cut off into a short bob in order to get rid of all the split ends. Before that I had stopped bleaching and the roots were much healthier. I had a full head of highlights to cover up the roots along with my hair cut ( to neaten everything up). I really hated having to have my hair cut off, but luckily the hairdresser did an excellent job and I liked my new do. However I still had aimed to grow it. So from here I rarely ever used heat i.e straighteners or hair dryers. I'd only ever dyed the roots using semi permanent colours and soon enough I started to notice a different in my hair. Not using bleach and having my split ends chopped off had made a huge difference to the condition of my hair. After a while I realised that dying my hair light was too hard to maintain, so a few years later I decided to dye my hair brown.

It made a huge difference as once I had the colour I only ever needed to use semi permanent hair dye and have done to this day. I never use straighteners and rarely blow dry my hair and my hair is now quite long. However recently I started to notice my hair was in bad shape again, it seemed to be falling out in strands like there was no tomorrow. I started to worry, what was damaging my hair? I knew I needed something drastic to help my hair before I ever did any hair dying or styling again.

So now, I put warm olive oil in my hair once a week- this gives natural oils back to your hair which makes it glossy and strong. I also use a Tresemme deep conditioning mask every other day and leave it in my hair for about 10 minutes. The results have been fantastic, my hair is no longer dry or brittle but feels nourished and healthy and strong. I also use Tresemme's split end remedy when I need to and an Elvive product for my roots.

My advice for anyone who is planning to dye their hair, before you do so spend a few weeks prepping your hair. Make sure you hair is healthy enough that dying you hair won't further damage it too much. I now know that the next time I dye my hair, it'll be ready!