Lip Colour & Lip Care Products I'm Loving At The Moment

I fell out of love with make up over the summer and only really wore it when I was attending a special occasion, which was great for my skin and gave it a good breather, but it’s been a while! So I’ve been getting back into dabbling into my make-up bag and looking around in the beauty aisles and discovered some new (to me) lip products that I wanted to share on the blog today.  

I’ve always been intrigued by the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets but never tried it so I finally caved and purchased this one in the shade no 32. It is a beautiful nude shade and with the formula being lip gloss like, it is easy to wear on a daily basis and top up throughout the day. It’s not a high maintenance lip colour that require a mirror or lip liner so it is perfect to carry around in your handbag or leave at your office desk.

For moisturising, I decided to pick up the Dr Paw Paw Multipurpose Balm. I’m not going to lie, I love Vaseline and I think it works great but I just wanted something that was a bit more hygenic for use in public or at work. I hate how you have to stick your finger in the Vaseline pot but with this product in a handy tube, it’s easy to use wherever you are. It also has the additional benefit of being multipurpose!

Another lip care product I’m loving is actually a DIY homemade lip scrub. If you remember this post including uses of the Body Shop 100% Shea Butter, it includes the recipe for this. It’s a great natural exfoliator and keeps my lips flake free.

I was given this cute mini of the Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry and as well as it being the perfect hand bag size, it is a great shade that adds a subtle pop of colour to the lips. This one is also easy to apply and doesn’t require a mirror or lip liner.

I also have a mini of the Clinique Pop Lip Colour and Primer in Plum Pop, which is essentially a creamy lightweight lipstick. The colour is very appropriate for this season and is a lovely pinky purple shade, which I can see being very wearable on many skin tones. 

What are your current lip favourites?

100 Blog Post Ideas For The 'Little Bit Of Everything' Blogger

I often find myself going through phases of lacking inspiration and motivation for my blog. Coming up with fresh new ideas is hard sometimes. I've listed 100 (yes a whole one hundred!) blog post ideas for the blogger who is like me and writes about a bit of everything. I hope these inspire and motivate you for your blog!

1. Why you started blogging
2. What you love/hate about blogging
3. Blogging tips
4. Photography tips
5. Finding your blogging voice
6. Planning for your blog
7. Social media tips for bloggers
8. Blogging process
9. Favourite blogs
10. How to start a blog
11. A guide to affiliate programmes
12. Tips and advice for a sponsored blog post 
13. X years of blogging
14. Where you've travelled to
15. Bucket list
16. Travel guide
17. Staycation
18. A day trip to...
19. Travel guide to your hometown
20. How to plan the ultimate holiday
21. Travel essentials
22. Finding holidays on a budget
23. Saving money for travelling
24. Travel beauty
25. Travel skincare
26. Packing tips
27. Packing for a weekend away
28. Everyday beauty essentials (makeup, skincare or haircare)
29. Current beauty favourites
30. What your everyday face is worth
31. Favourite makeup palettes
32. Beauty wish list
33. Hairstyles for short / medium / long hair
34. Foundations for dry/oily/combination skin
35. Hits and misses
36. Product review (hyped up or new launch)
37. Fragrance collection
38. Subscription box review
39. How to clean your makeup brushes
40. Makeup brush collection
41. Makeup storage and collection
42. Evening skincare routine
43. Morning skincare routine
44. Budget beauty tips
45. High-end beauty favourites
46. Spotlight on a brand
47. Your style story
48. Trying out a trend
49. 3 ways to style (i.e.: converse, grey tee, black jeans)
50. Favourite accessories
51. Wardrobe tour
52. What's in my bag
53. Shoe collection
54. Special occasion outfit (i.e.: wedding, birthday, party)
55. Recent purchases haul
56. Saving money on fashion
57. Capsule wardrobe
58. Workwear inspiration 
59. Finding your personal style
60. Style look book
61. Summer style
62. Seasonal wardrobe essentials
63. How to save on style
64. Favourite jewellery pieces
65. Styling your jewellery
66. How to get organised
67. Productivity tips
68. Body confidence
69. Self-care tips
70. Motivation advice
71. University/college advice
72. About your job
73. How to save money
74. Wish list
75. Interior moodboard
76. How to style a shelf
77. A peek inside your home
78. Organising your wardrobe
79. A look at your beauty set up
80. Home renovation talk through
81. Desk tour
82. A letter to your younger self
83. DIY (Instagram DIYS, homeware, beauty)
84. Favourite TV shows/movies/books
85. Film review
86. A day in the life
87. Dessert recipe
88. Food recipe
89. Drinks recipe
90. Advice for hosting a dinner party
91. Book review
92. How to plan a birthday party/ wedding/ baby shower
93. A gift guide
94. Goals for the month/year
95. Reviewing a monthly box (beauty, food, fashion etc)
96. A beginners guide to...
97. Talk about a significant life experience
98. Birthday blog post
99. How to have a work life balance
100. Your own 100 blog post ideas

Easy Ramen Recipe | Veg & Non-Veg

Anyone who knows me is well aware that I am a lover of noodles… any form of noodle dish is my go-to! One of my favourite recipes I enjoy making time and time again is my ramen recipe. It is one of those dishes that works for all the family and is great all year round. I also think it fills you up the perfect amount and leaves you feeling full but without feeling heavy and like you need a nap.

I'll hold my hands up and say that it isn't super healthy but it can definitely be chopped and changed so the recipe is more stripped down and healthy. I just like how adaptable the recipe is, it can be veggie or non-veg and can be served with a variety of sides – Chinese-style chips, spring rolls, prawn toast or prawn crackers. Anyway, here is the recipe so you can recreate it too.

Serves | 2 people

Prep time | 15 mins

Cook time | 30 mins

Ingredients:

For the ramen:

2 noodle nests

1 vegetable stock cube, diluted in some water.

Carrots, chopped

Mangetout, chopped

Baby corn, sliced in half

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 garlic cloves, grated

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh ginger, grated (just less than 1 inch)

To garnish:

Sesame seeds, toasted

Spring onions, chopped

Coriander, chopped

Chilli powder and flakes, as needed

Boiled eggs, sliced

Optional extras // chicken, prawns or tofu. 

Method:

1. Prep your veg, chop the ginger and garlic and boil eggs.

2. In a large pan add 1 tbsp of oil followed by the garlic and ginger and let them brown slightly.

3. Then add the soy sauce and stock water. I measure the water by the bowls I'd be eating in, so add 1 for each person and a little extra as the water evaporates.

4. After a few minutes add the veggies so they can boil through. If I was adding meat, I'd cook it separately and add it in at this point too.

5. Season with salt, pepper and chilli powder as needed.

6. When the veg is almost done pop the noodle nests in so they can boil too.

7. When complete, dish up in a bowl with some soup and noodles and top with toasted sesame seeds, spring onions, coriander, sliced boiled egg and chilli flakes. It is now ready to serve!

Enjoy and do let me know how you get on! 

Skincare Products That Have Helped My Eczema

I’ve been meaning to write this post up for a good couple of months now but if I’m being honest, I feel like I could write a post like this every 6 months or so. The reason being is that a) these products only helped me they might not help you, b) they sometimes only work for a short amount of time and c) I’m constantly trying new products so I can keep sharing what works, even if it is for a few weeks.

So with all that in mind, I wanted to share a few products that have helped with my eczema recently because I feel like these are really worth trying if you suffer with eczema like me. I unfortunately get flare ups on my face, neck, arms and hands - areas that are often exposed as they can’t be hidden! I am quite conscious about it but I also know I just have to get on with life and work with what I’ve got that day.

I was sent the Diprobase Itch Relief Cream* and Diprobase Daily Moisturising Cream* and I’m so glad I was because I wasn’t aware they had new targeted skincare products in their range. I’ve tried a few of their products before, as they were recommended by my GP, but hadn’t come across these.

I found that the Itch Relief Cream* is best for use on my face and neck. It isn’t too thick or sticky so I could use it in the morning as well as the evening and it didn’t smell funky – which I thought it would because it is more of a medicated cream. I found that this help reduce redness and flakiness on inflamed areas and it soothed my skin during flare ups. It claims to calm the skin within just 30 minutes of applying it and the packaging states it can be used on babies too but only for the short term (doctor’s advice is recommended).

The Daily Moisturising Cream* does exactly what it says on the tin. It provides hydration when needed and is perfect for day-to-day use. I used this all over my body rather than on my face, but I believe it can be used for both. Its best results are not during flare ups so avoid using when your skin isn’t feeling so great. The cream is also gentle for us on babies.

I’ve heard a lot about the Weleda Skin Food so I thought I’d finally cave in and give it a go… and I’m so happy that I did because this has got to be the product that has helped out the most with the eczema on my face. This product is a natural multipurpose balm that includes ingredients such as chamomile and calendula, which hydrates the skin. Apparently, one is sold every 23 seconds… proves how good it is!

I can only describe the products texture as Vaseline-like so it is quite thick and sticky so bear that in mind when you choose to apply it. I tend to apply it first thing in the morning so it can soak in before I head to work.

I hadn’t had a flare up in a while but when I did, it was one of the worst I’d ever had. I was recommended the Cera Ve range by a few different people so I went out and purchased the Moisturising Lotion. It is a really nice, lightweight cream that can be used on your face or body. I applied the lotion multiple times a day and it really helped soothe the skin as it was cooling on the skin. I really want to try more from the brand so if you have any other recommendations, do send them my way so I can try them!

And those are the products that helped with my eczema during its latest flare up. Do you have any recommendations?

*gifted products

Working The 9-5: How To Have A Work-Life Balance

Let’s be real, working a full-time job is hard work! We all like to have a life outside of the office and keep on top of other commitments like kids, a home or another business. Personally for me, I like to make time for the important things like family, friends, blogging and a few other hobbies. I find that it becomes really difficult to keep on top of everything, it’s always a couple of the things that remain on top whilst the other factors are slacking. Find yourself in the same situation? Here are some tips to help you have a better work life balance.

Hair Products That Help To Tame Frizz

The hair God’s have kindly blessed me with curly, frizzy, unruly (you get the drift) hair and now that my hair is longer, I have been on a mission to tame my crazy locks! In terms of shampoo and conditioner, I’m pretty set on my holy-grail Shea Moisture, although I have been dabbling into other products now and then to see if there is anything that can beat it... so far, nothing!