So I hadn't mentioned on here, but for the past 9 months I have worked at Primark to help fund my University fees. This Sunday just gone marked my last day, and I feel so sad that I've left due to no longer getting to see some amazing people every weekend.

On the bright side for you all reading this, one of the reasons I needed to leave was due to making a self-employed career for myself out of this blog. I'm hoping within the next year to gain more experience in writing and more subscribers and followers. It's a risk, becoming a writer, giving up a solid income (for a student) to have a crack at something that could end up badly, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.

Okay so the title of this post may be a little over dramatic, but I'm getting really fed up now.

This time last year I loved having dark brown hair, but not I just want it gone. It's boring. So I've been majorly patient and let it grown out, not dyed it and been really careful with it. About a month ago you will all know I stripped my hair, and the results were amazing. However little did I know that the colour could come back if not rinsed properly- this happened. So I was back to my dark brown with super light roots. SO a few weeks later (and the Monday just gone) I decided to re-strip it. I rinsed it for much longer this time however the opposite happened, it didn't seem to strip my hair hardly at all. It maybe lifted one shade but the darkest bits of my hair failed to budge. SO by this point I was/am getting rather frustrated.

 So I thought 'sod it' and went out and bought a permanent really light blonde from Nice N Easy. Now I've used these dyes for years, whether it be the permanents or semi permanent and I've always had fantastic results. So I thought at best it'd lift my hair a bit and turn it into a dark blonde/light brown maybe. WRONG. My roots went quite blonde, but the rest of my hair DIDN'T BUDGE! How is that possible? I knew it wouldn't go blonde but how did it not lift it a few shades, especially as it had ammonia and peroxide in.

SO I am at the end of my tether with my hair. I'm so careful of it and really don't want to damage it, but it's looking like going to the hairdressers and getting a full head of highlights will be my only option. Either that or relentlessly stripping it!

Anyway, rant over. Sometimes you just need to rant you know!! Let it all out. Sorry!

Has anyone else had these problems with their hair? If not, any funny stories?

Okay so those of you who have been reading since the very beginning will remember that for a good 6 months I kept to a blogging schedule. It then fizzled out because life got in the way and I became pretty lousy. However as of next week A Little Bit Of Laura will be back in business because I will be starting a blogging schedule again, (who's excited?... I am)!

So the schedule will be as follows:

Tuesday-Blog
Thursday-Review
Saturday-Vlog
Sunday-Blog

So I am promising to give it my all with this new schedule and try my best to stick to it!

This week I will upload as much as I can, but the new schedule will start properly next week, so stay tuned!!

I want to say a quick thank you to those of you who have followed me, subscribed, given me thumbs up, and just generally been awesome!

A Little Bit Of Laura is hopefully about to get a hell of a lot better and exciting!!!

Speak soon
Laura X

Hey lovelies,

So I've just gotten back to Portsmouth after a wonderful Easter break back home. I loved getting to see my family and friends and of course my puppy, who turned one last week and he had a party and a cake - how adorable. But now, the break is over sadly and I have had to return to Portsmouth and Uni for my last semester, which really isn't a semester as there aren't really any seminars or lectures but I do have one exam in a couple of weeks so lots of revision - eugh!

I've been really desperate to go on a holiday this year, and I've been nagging my boyfriend for almost two years now to come to Disneyland with me ( the most magical place ever) - poor guy! But we finally decided that we would go this summer but I realised it would work out better to book early for next year (sad face -  I have to wait) so we think we are going to have to postpone it! So now I have been looking into sun holidays, but again I don't know whether to save that money to go out on little day trips over summer etc. That might be nice. Anyway I'm rambling on.

It's nice to be back for this year's final hurdle in Portsmouth and so far luckily the weather has been lush. Got to actually 'revise' in the garden the other day and yesterday myself and my house mates went to the beach and then played mini golf ( I won) and then finished off the afternoon with an ice cream! I'm hoping the weather holds out until after my exam so I can properly enjoy it. Fingers crossed.

I will hopefully be posting about pretty spring things soon and bits and bobs that I have bought for Spring/summer, so keep your eyes peeled!


Anyway how have you all been? I'd love to hear from you.

Speak soon
Laura X

Hello lovelies,

So many apologies for my absence over the past few days. I promised I'd be posting and uploading a vlog however something occurred that kind of hindered that. My laptop broke. And why did it break? Well because stupid over here dropped a whole mug of hot tea over it. Well over my lap, but then as I got up it went onto my poor, poor laptop. Luckily I was thinking about getting a new laptop anyway, but still ouch. So I am sorry for not being very active.

I also wanted to take this chance to let you all know that I am now writing articles as frequently as I can on a website called The News Hub, so if you haven't heard about it, then please check it out, and look for my articles and have a read. I'd love to hear from you all and tell me your opinions!

I will try my best to make up for my absence. I have done lovely things this Easter break so I'll try and blog about them.

Also a side note to my previous review on Colour b4- you MUST rinse it for the time said- I clearly didn't and my brunette hair has reappeared. Yes it got darker/the colour came back. So now I'll have to do it again.

Just another case of moi being an idiot I suppose.

Ta ta for now!

X

So if any of you have seen my YouTube video where I spoke about my hair, then you'll know I've been all over the scale. I had really dark brown hair, and I haven't dyed it in 2 months so my roots were showing. I decided I wanted to use Colour B4 to strip my hair so I could have it lighter as I was getting a bit tired of the upkeep with my brown hair.

I have made a review vlog on this so I will put that on here soon which will show you the process and results a little better. But for now I shall say: WOW!

I was very skeptical and I thought it would only lift my hair a couple of shades and there would be a possibility of it getting damaged. But it has lifted it about 5/6 shades and my hair feels great and not brittle! This is such a good product. Of course everyone's hair is different so please do patch tests and strand tests and read the instructions. But I cannot praise Colour B4 enough!!

Hello Lovelies,

I have very strange skin. It's a combination of oily and dry. Not two things that you would usually put together, but it happens. I usually get a very oily forehead yet the skin that is oily is dry and flakey. This causes a problem with foundation. Often I find my foundation either dries and comes off or runs down into my eyebrows- orange eyebrows aren't good, who knew!?

So I've really wanted to find a good solution. At the moment I've been dedicated to making my skin healthier, and I'll reveal my secret in a later post. So, because of this I don't want to undo the good by using really thick foundations that cause break outs. What I really needed was something light and healthy. Here's what I bought:

So these two products I am thrilled with, but the best thing to do is to go out and simply see what works best for you and your skin type as everyone is different. I would highly recommend these products however!

Much Love

Laura X

I walked through the entrance of Portsmouth's Kings Theatre with an adrenaline and thirst for the entertainment that was set to fulfil me that evening. There were steep steps just as you entered, and a lady stood waving programs above her head. I fumbled for my purse and treated myself to a program which only cost me £4. Our seats were in the dress circle. As we walked further into the theatre I was taken aback by its beauty.

Our seats were velvet red and we were lucky enough to get seats right in the centre and on the front row of the dress circle. It was the perfect view. Now inside I was astonished at how wonderful it all looked. The curtains were already drawn back and on the stage were a few wooden chairs and a woven basket. The simplicity had me captivated before it had even begun. The rustling of sweet wrappers and the gentle mumbling of the busy audience gave me a nostalgic feeling from visiting the theatre as a child. I couldn't wait for it to start.





At 7:30pm sharp the lights went down. It began.

The Woman in Black, Susan Hill,  was everything you could look for in a good dramatic play. It had humour, shocks, surprises, and drama. And it definitely wasn't short of giving the audience a good scare when a sudden ghostly scream filled the auditorium.

The acting was sensational, Malcolm James and Matt Connor gave outstanding, believable performances of Arthur Kipps and The Actor. Having only seen the film of The Woman In Black, it was fantastic to witness the play and compare their differences. The talent that was displayed by these two actors was blatant when both kept swapping roles and taking on new ones. Not once did the play become confusing or less realistic. I was completely unaware that James and Connor would be the only two actors in the play- besides the mysterious Woman in Black herself! And despite having no other actors to work off, the pair did an excellent job and had me memorized in the wonder that was the theatre that night.

The atmosphere was greatly created by sound, much like a horror film. To portray scene changes, a simple background noise would fill the stage and the lighting represented the mood. This was pulled of easily, and had the whole audience engaged.

My experience was one of the best. I thoroughly enjoyed watching The Woman in Black and would recommend it to all who aren't too scared. An outstanding play, outstanding performances, and an outstanding night!

Being healthy is something I've always enjoyed. I love buying healthy ingredients and making new foods/meals. I just have one issue- I love food. And I mean the bad stuff. I know I'm not the only one, but I am a sucker for a takeaway. Guilty. In fact as I type this I have a large Domino's pizza sat next to me. Oh how it taunts me,

'Psst. Pssst Laura, are you going to just stare at me? Eat me bitch!'

Yeah that's what it'd say if it could talk. But it can't. It's pizza.

But anyway, I love salads and vegetables and I really do enjoy getting exercise. I do a fair bit of walking and I jog/ do exercise videos from time to time, but I'm never going to be one of those fitness freaks. It's all very good being completely in control of every pound and eating anything green. But sometimes, and I'm going to say it, sometimes it is okay to eat unhealthily. The way I see it is we only get this chance at life *insert some idiot shouting YOLO*. And of course I'm not suggesting we all go out and eat McDonald's until we puke, but all in moderation. I'd much prefer to have a few extra pounds because I've thoroughly enjoyed a burger, than be so self conscious about my body that I fear anything that has more than 30 calories and not enjoy my life.



Live a little. Fast food is not our enemies, it's just not our best friend. I think bad food is just an acquaintance whom we must say hello to every now and again, but not always and that's okay!

Now I don't want people to think I'm supporting eating badly, like I said, all in moderation and with balance. I just feel like life is too short to worry too much about our weight. Everyone is beautiful.

And I love burgers so...

Hello bloggerees and bloggeroos, today I wanted to talk to you all about the sun. Ah the sun, yes that big ball of gas in the sky that we sometimes, but rarely come into contact with. Not direct contact, no we'd be dead, but we see it enough to feel confident saying good morning to it.



The past few weeks have been miserable, stressful, dull, rainy, grey and miserable a few more times. Sometimes it feels like all the bad things come at once. Often I think it's down to our moods. If we are in a bad mood, everything then becomes negative. For the past few weeks I've been in the worst mood, I don't know how I've put up with myself, let alone others putting up with me. I've felt constantly angry, moody, and have felt like giving up or throwing things in the air and running away. And literally, no exaggerations here, everything seems to go wrong, it was like someone piled bad luck on top of me until you could only see my toes sticking out. I felt like breaking down in a pathetic mess of a ball.



However on Saturday it all changed. Well not all, I mean the issues may still be there but other than that it ALL changed. I woke up and got ready for work and... the sun was out. Let's take a few moments to get to grips with that as it's not a regular occurrence. But yes it was indeed out and I'm sure most of you were able to enjoy it. I wasn't as I had to work, but I did get the pleasure of walking to work in the loveliness that was Saturday. And it honestly changed my mood, I felt so much happier, it was as if a weight had been lifted. I faced the rest of the day with positivity, I didn't feel ill at work for one of the first times, I managed to get home admin and work done afterwards and didn't feel too stressed AND my good mood carried through until Sunday. Sunday is usually a tough day, I work all day and have to be up at 6am. Not even smashing my saucepan lid and having glass go everywhere could ruin my mood. Normally I would have wanted to have a strop there and then and shout 'WHY ME? WHYYY?', but I just did not feel anger, or annoyance or irritation whatsoever. I just rolled my eyes, swept it up and got on with life.



It was strange. I even got time to write this blog post, finish some coursework and do a bit of sports journalism.


I truly believe that this good mood was caused by the sun. It gives out so much goodness and vitamins (obviously it has it's bad points but I won't insult your intelligence by pointing them out) that it makes you feel so much better. After months of cold, gloomy, wintry weather, a bit of sunshine  is the best medicine to shake of the blues.

I cannot wait for more days like this, if we get them. Oh I pray we get some!

X

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

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.

 Link back to the person who tagged you in your post
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?