Preparing For Summer

With the winter duvet and bedding packed away (sob) I think it's safe to start prepping for the hot summer days. Although the weather currently is a little temperamental, surely summer and warmer days are on their way soon! I've rounded up a few ways below to combat the heat in preparation for Summer, hopefully they'll help to keep me cool and fresh on warm sunny days!

Sleep Better
I'm definitely not a fan of hot summer nights - the constant tossing and turning, sunny 5am wake up calls and windows slammed firmly shut to keep away any bugs, it's not the one. But, I'm pretty prepared this year. Armed with a sleep mask like this cute one for the lighter mornings, a relaxing deep sleep spray and a cool pair of pyjama's, I'm hoping to sleep a little better. Plus I'm planning on catching a few extra zzz's with cheeky weekend naps!

Beauty
The hot weather is a difficult place for thick, heavy products. Let skin breathe a little with a lighter base like a BB cream or a tinted moisturiser. If you prefer a high coverage base, try investing in a cooling fixing spray to keep your make up in place all day.
Cream based products are ideal for summer. Great for easy application and longevity, the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise pots are a favourite pick, with hydrating vitamin e, a lasting formula and soft focus pigments they're ideal for the heat.
Lastly, for a cooling, hydrating fix, pop a misting spray in the fridge to keep fresh throughout the day. A good SPF is essential too.

Keeping your house cool
My flat doesn't like to stay cool in summer, even on the colder days it sticks at 25 degrees inside (the average was 29 on our first year!). As this is now the third summer that we've been here I've managed to pick up a few good tips to keep things cool:
- Plan meals - have a base set of meals that require minimal cooking. My favourites are Cous Cous salads with tofu, veggie hot dogs loaded with avocado and vegan pizzas topped with tons of fresh veggies.
- Make up smoothie packs and pop in the freezer for a quick, nourishing snack or meal.
- Invest in some blackout/thermal curtains, boring but SO worth it.
- Keep curtains closed during the warmest parts of the day to block out the heat of the sun - this makes such a difference to the temperature.

Keep hydrated
This such an important step, even day to day activities in summer can make you super dehydrated!
I like to fill up a huge jug of water, pop in some frozen fruit - blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, squeeze in a fresh lemon. Keep it in the fridge and top up your glass to keep hydrated during the day. Snacking on water rich foods like melon, iceberg, cucumber and drinking coconut water can help to up hydration levels too!

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How do you stay cool in summer?
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How To Keep That Childlike Sense Of Wonder

I've read and loved so many 30 before 30 posts, but I must admit the thought scares me a little. I'm actually 30 in November and the thing that I'm the most scared about is growing up and loosing a little of that childlike wonder. Instead of setting myself goals that I should have achieved by the big 3-0, here are 30 ways that I'm planning on keeping my sense of wonder alive!

1. Playing Mario Kart all morning, in cute Asos swan pyjamas.

2. Afternoon Harry Potter film marathons on a rainy day, or re-reading the book series for the 1000th time.

3. Picking up a plush My Little Pony, or a Build A Bear Care Bear 'cos they're oh so cute! 

4. Eating ice cream or popcorn for breakfast just because you can!

5. Attempting to cartwheel...

6. ...or finding an open grassy space and running as fast as you can, Phoebe from Friends style.

7. Feeling like a child again at even the slightest hint of Christmas.

8. Ordering vanilla ice cream, with extra sprinkles please!

9. Still having a favourite teddy bear - mine's a soft, plushy gorgeous pick from John Lewis, his name is Albi, short for Albus Dumbledore of course ;)

10. Sporting Hunter Wellies and jumping in puddles when it rains.

11. Or sometimes closing your umbrella as your nearly home and as it starts to pour. Then hopping into a hot Lush bath as soon as you're home!

12. Adult colouring books, because aside from being fun, they actually help you to switch off and clear your mind!

13. Early morning cartoon watching sessions with endless bowls of cocopops.

14. Meals that consist of spaghetti hoops and smiley faces.

15. Pancakes.

16. Hot chocolate before bed, with marshmallows, cinnamon and whipped cream - Yum!

17. Having a sock collection full of bright, colourful picks - covered in prints like these glittery unicorn socks!

18. Also slippers, all of the cat and unicorn slippers please!

19. Disney Films.

20. Or Once Upon A Time marathons.

21. Lego video games, Lego Star Wars and Lego Harry Potter are such fun picks.

22. Baking Frozen themed cupcakes.

23. Skipping.

24. Taking a trip to the Disney store and investing in an adorable mug.

25. Or visiting the Harry Potter Warner Brothers studio tour to see the sights and sip on a Butterbeer!

26. Dancing in the kitchen, to Jimmy Eat World.

27. Growing cress, it's unbelievably easy to grow and actually tastes good too!

28. Listen to a Harry Potter audio book.

29. Take a nap.

30. Make a wish on a shooting star.

What sparks your sense of wonder?

Bright Lips For Summer

Summer is the perfect time to crack out a bold lip - a vibrant pink or orange to pair with a striped tee and a bunch of peonies. Lately, to compliment the lacklustre weather I've also been rocking an autumnal hue, it just feels right to wear a berry lip on a gloomy, rainy day!

First up is the Charlotte Tilbury Kissing Lipstick in Coachella Coral, a spring/summer must-have. Everything about this luxe lipstick is dreamy - from the rose gold packing and lasting, nourishing formula to the wearable perky coral pink hue!

The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen is my shade of choice for the dreary weather. Creamy, long lasting and a gorgeous deep burgundy red, it's ideal to wear on rainy summer days. This divine, vanilla buttercream scented lip cream glides over the lips like a dream before setting in place for hours - perfect for colder days spent sipping on a peppermint tea!

For a bold summer pick, I recommend Nars Yu, a gorgeous vibrant pink. I just can't get enough of the dreamy Nars lip pencils, the formula is divine - creamy, pigmented and budge proof. Yu is my go-to for lacklustre skin days, it instantly brightens your make up leaving it looking fresh and chic. 

The dreamy Clinique Cherry Pop is a gorgeous, buttery pick with an in-built primer for long lasting colour. This striking red has quite a glossy finish, I like to wear it tapped on lightly and blended in for full, plumped up lips.

Probably the brightest pick of the bunch is the Revlon Matte Balm in Unapologetic, a shocking, bold coral pink and flattering suits all shade. This pigmented matte balm feels creamy and soft on the lips and works so well paired with dewy skin and long lashes - ideal for summer! 

What are your favourite bold lipsticks?

A Parched Skin Saviour

I've been on the lookout for a new staple night moisturiser ever since I finished my beloved Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream a few years ago. After coming to the end of the pot, I reluctantly decided not to repurchase it due to the addition of parabens. I've conducted quite a bit of research into parabens and resolved that I just didn't feel quite comfortable using it so often. Since then I've been flitting between different creams, oils and balms but nothing has left my skin feeling quite so good. Until now. Enter the Kiehls Ultra Facial Balm, the richer, balmier and paraben free version of the Ultra Facial Cream.

I actually picked this up on a whim, I thought that this rich, creamy balm would be more suited for autumn/winter but this has been just what my skin needs after the recent spout of cold weather. Although it's a little too heavy for day time use (I use this radiance boosting Origins number in the morning) it's been incredible to use just before bed and has completely transformed my dry, dehydrated skin.

When using this luxurious balm, I take the smallest amount onto my ring finger and then warm it up slightly between the tips of my fingers. I then tap the product on my forehead, cheeks and chin before massaging the silky balm upwards and outwards over my whole face and neck (taking care to avoid my eyes). At first, it feels rich and balmy on the skin but after a short while it sinks in leaving your skin feeling plump, comfortable and super hydrated.

The next day results are pretty impressive, incredibly soft, soothed skin that makes a great base for make up. I'm currently using this every night, although it may be a little rich for some. Once the warmer weather sets in I'm planning on using it tri-weekly along with a lighter cream but come winter, I'm pretty sure I'll be slathering the stuff on day and night!

Have you tried this hydrating balm? What's your favourite night cream?

Budget Beauty Essentials

I thought I would share a little round up of my favourite affordable picks, these are my top budget beauty essentials, all at under £10 each!

First up are Essie polishes, my favourite highstreet/drugstore nail varnish. Essie are practically the only nail polish brand that I buy now as for me the quality, formula and pigmentation are all second to none. The brush applicator makes application effortless - just three swipes up the nail, two coats and you're good to go! Also, the shade selection is dreamy, Essie Ballet Slippers is the perfect glossy sheer pale pink - ideal for the wedding season and Essie Aperitif is the perfect classic red and suits all shade.

Next up is one of my favourite Lush picks, The Comforter Bubble Bar. This heavenly bath time treat creates a dreamy pink bath with clouds of soft bubbles to relax and melt into. When smashed into chunks this lasts a fair few baths, a little really goes a long way. Also, the scent is gorgeous - a warming, comforting aroma of blackcurrant and vanilla that fills the whole bathroom!

I have a lot of love for the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, everything from the pigmented colour range to the silky mousse like texture that sets in place for hours, these affordable lip picks really are divine! Cannes is gorgeous, a warm rose that's flattering on the lips and a great everyday shade.

My last pick is the Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz, this is a constant repurchase for me, I must be on at least my 10th bottle of the stuff! Every morning after cleansing I simply mist this over my face and neck before wiping away with a cotton pad. It's so light and refreshing to use and soothing, toning, balancing and calming on the skin. With just 5 ingredients it's just so simple and lovely!

What are your favourite budget beauty buys?

A June To Do List

1. Peonies, peonies, peonies. I need to find and buy some soon!

2. Snap up these adorable Asos Unicorn Flats.

3. Invest in a new misting spray for the warmer days (if we ever get them!), I love the sound of the Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist!

4. Read a little more, I have a few great books lined up to read (Red Queen, Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix & The Queen Of the Tearling) and summer is the perfect time to soak up some vitamin D in the garden and get stuck into a good book or two!

5. Get my DIY on, make a fluffy stool (like this one) for my dressing table or to use as a cute footstool. 

6. Book a trip to the Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour, it's been far too long since I visited this magical place, I planning on getting my hands on a pink pygmy puff when I'm there too!

7. Make a fort on a warm summers eve, with films, popcorn, fairy lights and the windows wide open!

8. Swap out my sugary breakfast cereal for something a little healthier, like chia pudding topped with strawberries!

9. Pick up these dreamy gold and white mugs from H&M home, this adorable bowl too.

10. Plan a trip to the seaside on a warm summers day, with a picnic lunch and buckets of ice cream!

Five New Accessories

I've recently picked up a few new bits - some classic, statement pieces along with a couple of bright picks for summer. I normally shop for accessories in autumn or winter and so don't have many summer appropriate pieces, with so many pretty picks in store at the moment, there's so much to choose from! Here's what I picked up...

Firstly, I have to give another little mention to this dreamy Topshop Bag, it's simple, structured and chic. The blush pink lining, gold detailing and sleek black finish make this bag feel more high-end than high-street, it's so practical and so far goes with everything I own!

After browsing Asos for some summery accessories (flower crowns, gold leaf headbands etc) I ended up with a couple of all year round picks instead. So far, the cold weather has left me reaching for vampy shades, muted tones and almost halloween-esque picks - like this Velvet Choker necklace. Paired with winged liner, matte eyeshadows, highlighted skin and MAC Whirl on the lips, it creates a gorgeous, chic look that's so 90's!

I also added this bright Pom Pom Ring to a small Asos order to bump it up to free delivery, it's pretty adorable but not really that wearable. It looks ideal for a prop for blog photos and instagram snaps though so I may hang onto it!

With size 2 feet, it's often hard to find a pair of shoes that I love, I was so happy to find these gorgeous M&S Ballerina Ghillies, they're ideal for summer and although they're actually kids shoes, are available in adult sizes too! I had to downsize to a size 1 for these as they come up a little larger than normal, they were pretty painful to wear in too - I definitely recommend wearing them paired with invisible socks for the first few wears!

Lastly, these dreamy rose gold sunnies are a new favourite pick. They're a beautiful metallic rose gold with a pink/red tone to them and are such a flattering style. I had been wearing them non-stop until the sun disappeared, they're so pretty -  super affordable too!