May Faves 2016!

Hello hello hello hellooooo,

I hope you're all good!

Well May is over, we're in the beginning of June now. So I thought I'd do a May favourites.

I haven't really bought anything new this month, I'm skint and saving my money for my holiday to Turkey which is a month away! (1st July)

Rimmel London Salon Pro nail varnish in 312 Ultra Voilet.
This month I decided to start painting my nails more since it is coming up to summer and the sun is trying to come out. I thought with a brighter nail varnish it might influence the sun to come out more.
Purple is my favourite colour so when I tried this I was in love! My nails aren't long - I really can't grow them, as soon as I get a little stressed and I bite them off. So I've been using some fake nails and used the polish over the fake nails and it looks lovely. 
I think the colour is really pretty and it looks like the colour in the pot. There's nothing worse than buying a nail colour but when you put it on your nails it's a completely different shade. 

The nails I have been using are the HEADTOTOE French Manicure Nail Set. 
(I binned the box- oops! But still they were nice haha & there's a picture above with me wearing them!)
These are also one of my favourites of this month. 
You get 24 nails in the back and also the adhesive.
I went into Claire's Accessories and they have some really pretty fake nails but they were between £6-£8 and I cannot afford that.
I went into Home Bargains for a mooch with my Mam and they had these nail sets and they were only 79p! To also get the glue in these packs is brilliant.
Honestly I wasn't expecting much from these considering the price - but they're actually really good. I've had a pair on for nearly a week now and only a couple of them have came off. But that was when I was in the bath so the hot water might have melted the glue. 
They look really natural on my nails and fit my hands perfectly, which can be quite difficult because I have quite small hands and small fingernails. 
So yeah i've very happy and for less than £1 you can't really complain.

Someday perfume by Justin Bieber.

I know this is a few years old now but the smell will always be gorgeous.
I always seem to wear it a lot more in the summer as it is a sweet and florally smell. It holds so many memories around this time of year and whenever I wear it I just feel a lot fresher.
The packaging is a bonus also because it's so beautiful and the amount of times I've dropped the bottle and it hasn't broken!
So yeah I've been loving this and will be wearing it on my holidays.

Seventeen Easy On The Eye Palette.
This palette has been my saviour. With the weather getting warmer I'm really into wearing golds and pinks.
So this palette is brilliant for just that. It's really pigmented eye shadows for such a cheap price. They are brilliant quality and do stay on all day.
I will say the primer that comes with it is quite poor quality and actually makes my eye-shadow off quicker than if I don't use the primer.
My favourites are the glitter colours and the mattes. The metallic creams aren't as good but are still okay. I've loved this all month and will continue to wear it all summer.

New Look Pure Colour Baked Eyeshadow in 91/Bronze.
This eye shadow is so lovely! It matches up with the shade Radiant Gold in the Seventeen Easy On The Eye pallete.
It's got a lovely gold pigment, you don't need a lot on your brush when you apply it. 
It was only a couple of pound and there was a few shades so it was a brilliant buy and I love wearing it.

Scarlett Moffatt - Scarlett Says

I got this book in April and have been reading it throughout May. It's hilarious!
I love Scarlett on Gogglebox so I was over the moon when she brought her book out. It is definitely what I expected, it's completely her attitude to certain topics and it's a brilliant read. It's easy to read so when you're laid in bed or have some spare time during the day it's a good book to just pick up and read a few pages.
I know a lot of people who get some spotlight on TV or online think that bringing a book out is a great way of making money - but this one actually works, you can see she has put a lot of thought into it and hasn't just thrown it together for some more money.
Well done Scarlett!

Sorry that this has went up a bit later than usual for a monthly faves - but i've been busy.
See you all soon for another post - thank you for reading! 

Love Amie 
xx

My Skincare Routine - May 2016

Hey guys,
how are you all?

Today I'm going through my skincare routine!

To be honest with you I don't have the best skincare routine. I use the basics, I don't use anything expensive because I don't actually know what to use for my skin. So if you have a clue what I should use or if you can recommend anything - let me know in the comments.

My skin type varies all of the time. Sometimes it is dry so when I put my foundation on it goes all patchy, but sometimes it's oily and I get patches of oil down the T-Zone and my chin. So I don't really know what I should use to change this?

I don't go out of my way to buy skin products to put on before bed and in the morning - I use the basics.

But to take my make up off I use the Garnier Pure Active Micellar Cleansing Water. 
I have to large 400ml bottle which states that it gives you 200 uses. I will admit it has lasted me so long. I have 1/4 of the bottle left and i've had it for around a year now? 
It's really good for taking off your make-up, it's for combination to oily skin - which is probably best for mine. And also for sensitive skin so it doesn't sting your face and leave you all blotchy.
Also if you don't want to invest in the big bottle which is £3 (even though it lasts such a long time), maybe you're going on holiday or travelling, places like Boots and Asda doing the miniature bottle which is maybe 100ml? And they're something small like £1 each. 







I use a different product for taking off my eye make-up. I use the Nivea Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover. It comes in a 125ml bottle and is for all skin types. When you see the product in the shop its two different colours because the liquids inside sets and layers, so that it goes a dark blue and clear - so make sure you shake it.This is amazing for taking off make-up. It's the only thing I know to properly take off my waterproof mascara completely. My cousin who is a beautician suggested it to me (hey Niamh!) It was cheap considering the quality of it and it lasts quite a while. I've had it a few months and I'm just about half way through the bottle.
All I'll say is that once you put it on a cotton pad and take off your make-up, you may want to use another pad to wipe off any access product as it does tend to leave some kind of oil around your eyes and makes them quite greasy. 
But for the amazing job that it does - that doesn't bother me at all.
My Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish doesn't even remove eye make up that well compared to this product!



To use the cleansing water and eye-makeup remover, I use the Lacura Body and Face Cotton Wool Pads. They come in a 2 pack and have 100 in each so they are going to last me a long time hopefully. I prefer these cotton pads over any others (strange how i'm particular about them), but these ones are thick and a lot more padded. Other pads I use fall apart as I use them but the Lacura ones have been pressed around the edges so that the stuff on the inside doesn't move about a lot when you use them. 
They're also really soft on your skin and aren't itchy. I think I got them from Aldi! For less than a pound! But yeah I just really like them, they're the perfect size too.

If I feel like really pampering myself I will use my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish which I got for Christmas. I still have a little bit left in the bottle so I'm trying to use it in small portions so that it doesn't all go.
It smells amazing and makes your skin feeling so fresh after you use it. I do want to try the new scents that are available - but cannot afford them just yet. 
They are great for all types of skin as Liz Earle is all natural ingredients so nothing will damage the skin. 
I mainly use this if I have the time, as although it doesn't take too long to do - it's still more effort than using a face wipe or my Micellar Water.

For a while I've been looking for a face mask that will get rid of any black heads and just get my skin looking better as it looks very worn out. I was thinking of going to Lush and getting a mask from there but I bought a magazine which had a Balance Me Treatments - Radiance Face Mask in. The real thing is £18 online but I received a free 30ml bottle. 
I do really love it! I couldn't afford the bigger bottle but it tried the tester and it made my skin so refreshed and soft. It didn't irritate my face at all and it really made my face feel more hydrated. I covered my face for 5 minutes like the bottle said. I did feel it working on my skin too whilst it was on my face - which I loved because I like to know it's actually doing something.
When you put some on your hand it has little orange balls in which massage into your skin. It smells so fruity (probably because it has fruit extracts)
I'd love to try some more of their stuff but I cannot afford it just yet! But yeah I definitely rate them.

Something I occasionally use before bed, usually after I've taken my make-up off and am ready to relax, I use my Nivea Rich Generating Night Cream. It's a very thick cream and it has literally lasted me a year and I'm not even half way through. I don't use it every night, probably like once a week. It's quite greasy but it definitely moisturises your skin for the next day. 












So there you go! There's my skincare routine. There isn't really a routine but it's what I use on my face.
Hope you enjoyed it.

Let me know what you use in the comments.

Love,
Amie xx

Finishing My First Year At University!

Hi everyone!

I haven't spoken to you all in so long, with finishing my first year it means I've had uncountable assignments which have knocked me so close to the edge.

But I'm back!

Before I get back on track with my posts, I thought I'd do an update on what happened this year - in case anyone is starting university in September and want to know a bit more about it goes down.


So as some of you will know, I studied Magazine Journalism at Sunderland Uni. My first year has just finished and it hasn't been as hard as I thought it would have been - let's hope I've worked hard enough.

I've made some incredible friends. There's the friends who you see now and then but are always greeted with a smile and a "hey", there's the regular drinkers who you see on a night out and are greeted with a cuddle and dancing. 
Lastly there's the ones that you've grown up with. Although it's only been 9 months, everyone has changed so much and came out of their shells. It's crazy because you don't even realise it happens but all of a sudden you have your really close friendship circles.
I know that I'll end up being friends with them for a very long time, not just for the next 2 years of uni. 

My flat mates are my home away from home. Over the past couple of months I have been at my actual home in Hartlepool a lot more, purely because with the stress of assignments I prefer my own environment and my home town makes me so relaxed. But when I am at Sunderland I love spending time with them. We have had a handful of fallouts - all for stupid reasons but we always end up making up and completely forgetting anything that's happened. That's how it should be, at the end of the day you have to live with them so what's the point in falling out and having to avoid each other? That's soooo much more effort than making up.
I'm able to talk to them about anything and they can tell me anything.
p.s - Hi guys if you're reading this, I love you x

For you guys who might be joining uni soon - don't worry about making friends. I panicked so much about making friends when I started. But you make them and you don't even realise. There isn't really any effort. If you are staying in halls like I did, you're surrounded by people who are all in the same boat. Even saying hello or smiling to people who walk past you is a great start.
 Honestly there's so much stigma about "will people like me?" but yes, yes they will. I'm friends with a complete mix of people. I don't know how we met, but I regret nothing.

Passion on a Monday.

Play Wednesday!

IndieP on Friday!

With regards to university itself - it was amazing. If you want a blog on my course (if you're interested) let me know. 

The night life was amazing, all thanks to Stephen Gatsby, Harry Play, Sam Evans and Tom Box. Play Wednesdays and 21st Century Box Fridays - are the shiz. 
I didn't go out every week because when I did go out I would appreciate it more. But yeah it was such an amazing experience, filled with so many friendly people and cheap drink!
Plus who can go wrong with winning free stuff?
So I owe these guys a big thanks for making my Fresher's year a blast.

This year has went SO quickly it feels like last week I was in Fresher's week dressed as a zebra. I wouldn't change anything.

Guys if you're going to become a fresher - I highly recommend that you put yourself out there with people, don't be shy. You don't need to be. 

I've loved my first year - here's to the next two!

Love,
Amie 
xx

Borderline Perfection: A Trip To Coldingham

Hey everyone! 

I hope you're all doing well.

Did you all have a good Easter? Let me know what Easter eggs you received in the comments :)

I've spent my week in Scotland and so I thought I'd try something different and give you an insight on where I've been.

We have a caravan on the borders of Scotland (hence the title 'borderline perfection'). It's on a beautiful holiday sight called Scoutscroft in Coldingham. We've came up here for holiday breaks ever since I was born. Even my Mam used to come when she was a teenager!

To me this place is paradise. It's on the coast as well as the countryside so you get the beautiful scenery as well as the peace. 

Scoutscroft is owned by our very close friends, the Hamilton Family.

As we’ve been coming here as a family for such a long time, the area and the caravan site hold so many amazing memories that will never be forgotten.

Today was a lovely day and the sun was shining! It wasn’t the warmest, it was bearable. I decided to go for a walk in the sunshine, basically to procrastinate from University work but that can wait – Vitimin D is more vital, especially with all these storms we have been getting lately.

*As I’m writing this, the sky has went black, luckily I came back in when I did! There was a massive hail stone storm!*

For my little trip out I wore my white converse, black jeans, daisy top from New Look and my Missguided coat. Oh – not forgetting my gorgeous sunglasses from Primark!

I wouldn’t recommend hiking up gigantic hills in converse though, I thought I was going to come rolling off a cliff at least twice.

On my nails: Collection Lasting Gel Nail Colour in Raspberry 7.

To go with my spring walk, I went with gold eyeshadow from the Seventeen: Easy On The Eye palette in Birthday Suit. I also used the Maybelline: The Falsies mascara and on my lips I went for a nice nude pink from Elizabeth Arden in the shade Petal (18).

I saw that my Grandad had the Nivea Men Post Shave Balm which a lot of people have been talking about with regards to using it as a primer, so I pinched a little bit (sorry Granda!) I think it worked really well and am going to buy a bottle so I can test it properly and I’ll do a review post for you guys soon!

Taking my earphones was the best idea, it was awesome blasting some Justin Bieber through the countryside.

The good thing about the area being so isolated is that you rarely pass people when walking the country, so I can sing out loud as loud and as badly as I want and no one apart from the sheep and birds can hear me – sorry guys!

I passed a field filled with baby bunnies but my camera wouldn’t focus on them – boo!

But I think rabbits are now my favourite animals, they’re so cute and I want twenty.

Just passed them was a mini field with some chickens, roosters and geese in so I thought I’d give them a shout out as they were pretty cool.

But then I got to the walk way that leads you to the beach, and it’s the most beautiful thing. You have to stand there for a few seconds to stare, it does actually take your breath away – and not because it’s still quite cold.

I went a few days ago with Luke when it was lovely and warm, we went for a walk and got my favourite ice lollies. The sea was a gorgeous blue too!

Today I thought I’d challenge myself and walk up a huge hill which gives you an overview of two gorgeous bays.

And when I got to the top and got my breath back…

The view then took my breathe away again.

And there were cute little beach huts which were too tumblr to not put in this post…

There you go folks, I hope you liked this more photography based post but I had to share these beautiful views with you!

Let me know where your version of “perfect” is, whether it’s on your wish list to visit or if you’ve been.

Lots of love,

Amie xx

Spring Haul! | 2016

Hey everyone,

Happy Easter weekend (almost!)

I hope you're all doing well.

Recently I've been doing some shopping.

1) Because I needed certain items

2) I never had anything for spring

3) Retail therapy helps university assignment stress.

I thought you guys would be interested in what I bought so I thought i'd do a post. I've also filmed a video for my Youtube channel which is yet to be edited - but it's been filmed so there's step one!

I went into New Look a few weeks back and bought a lovely skirt. And I mean lovely! I was this one...

It was perfect to look at, I loved the mix of colours that you could dress up or dress down. This style of skirt is my favourite I have 3 of the same style, so I instantly bought it with a black zipped vest top. For £15 you can't really go wrong.

But I brought it home ready to wear on a night out and it didn't fit! I was so surprised because it's my normal size, which everything else fits me? And it wasn't even that it didn't fit a little bit - by the time I had shimmied it up my waist so it wasn't uncomfortable, you could see everything!

I was so upset when I took it back to New Look to exchange it for the bigger size and they didn't have it in! Maybe me and the skirt just weren't meant to be...

So I had a look around after my small melt down in the shop and came across this lovely spring/summer top. It was a thin material, white with thin navy stripes.

The best thing about it was that it was a t-shirt style so I knew it was going to be comfortable. It also had lovely big white daisies at the bottom of the design right the way around - cute!

It was the same price as the skirt so I didn't lose out on any money either - yay!

Daisy Top - £15 New Look

I've been back to New Look since buying this T-shirt as I wanted some more bits from there.

I decided I needed some new jeans, some that were a light denim as I have the really light blue, navy blue and black. So I wanted some that were inbetween dark denim and light (do you understand? If you do well done! haha)

I trust New Look jeans the most. Fair enough you can go to Primark and get some for like £11 instead of £23 but with Primark I find once you wash them once they instantly fade, their sizes are very off too - I have to go for a bigger size if I buy them in Primark, just to fit my waist, but then they won't fit my legs they'd be too baggy!

So no, I always go to New Look. Pay that little bit extra but they last a lot longer and are better quality.

I wanted some high waisted and some that I could perhaps do that DIY knee rip thing with. I found the perfect colour and ones with really nice coloured buttons on too.

Jeans - £22.99 (similar linked) New Look

Daisy Top - £15. New Look

Striped top - £5 Primark

I also went and had a look at the sale in New Look and found a lovely white jumper with gorgeous crochet shoulders.

I thought it would go lovely with my new jeans or even some black jeans.

It's quite cropped in my opinion so I'd definitely wear with high waisted jeans or leggings as i'm definitely not body confident yet - but if you are then GO YOU! I applaud you, get your flesh out girrrrrrrl!

Jumper - £9 Sale New Look

That's the last of what I bought from New Look!

I then popped into Primark to have a look at some bits and I will say they have some gorgeous summer/holiday pieces in at the minute, for really cheap too! I'll be going back to get some stuff for my jolly holly's in the summer!

I spotted this really cute T-shirt (seen above with the jeans). It was only £5 and was surprisingly a really lovely fabric, really soft. It was a slight V neck and has the design that's shorter at the front, slightly longer at the back. It was really nice and thought I could definitely rock it with either my new jeans, my black jeans and some converse!

£5 Primark

From Primark I also bought some black knickers and a plain nude bra (£4) you can't go wrong with cheap underwear!

I also nipped into Matalan as I never really go in there - and have since decided that perhaps I should.

It has some really nice and good quality clothing in there and for good prices too!

I picked up a lovely black and white striped blouse which is made with a lovely soft fabric and is buttoned at the back.

And for just £8 I can't really complain, I definitely wanted some other pieces in there but didn't have the money :(

Matalan - £8

Missguided recently had a 50% sale on too - which was very dangerous as I wanted to buy everything!

But I knew I needed a new coat. I only really have my parka and my leather jacket. They are both for different seasons really. I wanted something that was comfy, looks good for formal and informal as well as keeps me warm!

I knew which sort of style I wanted so when I found a one I liked with 50% off I was so happy!

It was £30 reduced from £60 so I knew it was going to be amazing quality.

When it arrived I fell in love, the colour is lovely and it goes with so many outfits - thank you Missguided!

Missguided - £30 on sale.

So there you go! There's my little shopping spree. I speak about them a little more on my video so keep an eye out for my video. Please go and Subscribe (click here!) and give my videos a like, I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks so much for reading - let me know in the comments what you've been buying for spring!

Lots of love,

Amie

xx

Lack of Inspiration

Hey everyone,

Hope you're all doing well.

This is a very random post - basically the jist is in the title.

But recently I've had a huge lack of inspiration when it comes to my blog and my Youtube.

I'm thinking maybe it's because Uni is back in full swing and dead lines appear so fast. I suddenly have a hell of a lot of work to do, including research, writing and submitting - oh the fun of University. I'm determined to do well in uni so yeah it is a priority. I did well last term, got a 2:2, 2:1 and a First! I really don't know how but it's given me the motivation to stick in and keep up the good work.

By the time I finish my university day - I tend to eat, do work, clean and go to bed. That is the stereotypical uni life.
If you'd like me to do a 'day in the life' where I write/vlog what I do on the typical day at university and in accommodation then let me know. Tweet me, message below etc. and I'll figure something out.

I think because I can't find a video style that I like yet that my YouTube is dragging behind - but this week I have a few video ideas as my birthday is on the 18th Feb and I'm going to be 19 so I can do a 'what I got for my birthday' video if you like?

I've sat down and wrote down ideas in a book, but then I just keep looking at the page like meh but I will motivate myself, starting this week I'm going to start writing about everything and anything interesting and coming up with YouTube posts.
Hopefully I can find a good background in my room for my videos that isn't just plain and boring.
Also one of my modules at the minute in university is video journalism which means I can take out some really good equipment to up the quality of my videos - I just need to learn how to use the editing software so that I can do it good and proper!

I'm sorry this is a very boring post I just thought I'd give some insight into why I haven't been uploading lately and that a change is happening - Get a grip Amie!

I love you all lots and thanks so much for sticking by me throughout - leave a comment below or send me a message on twitter. You know where to find me.


Love Amie
XX

LAB2 Makeup Brushes Review!

Hey everyone I hope you're all well!

So today I thought I'd do a make up brush review.

I won a competition on Twitter on LAB2 (Live and Breathe Beauty), which meant I received a Read My Lip Brush. 

I messaged LAB2 thanking them and that i'd be doing a review on my blog and YouTube on the brush and they said they were going to send me some extra brushes to write about - how lovely?!

So they kindly sent me a Read My Lip Brush, a I'm Turning Pro Brush Kit and a Strokes of Genius Brush Kit.

The boxes themselves look so professional. They're black with white writing and each set has different colour backgrounds behind the sets. I think the kits have an orange/red background and individual brushes have purple backgrounds.

It makes me happy that on the sides of the boxes it states:

• Made with love.
• No animal derived components.
• hypo-allergenic dermatologist tested.

The second point, animal derived components, is so important! It really helps sell a product to me if its safe for animals and they haven't been harmed in the making.

On the back of the boxes it states what brushes are included in the packs and also a very handy thing is it shows how to use each brush, with diagrams on what to do and where. This is so important I think as if you're new with using make up brushes - like I am, then it really helps to see how to use the brushes properly instead of starting clueless.

The I'm Turning Pro Brush Kit includes a: foundation brush, buffing brush, contour brush and eye shadow brush. 

The Strokes of Genius Brush Kit includes: a eye shadow brush, crease brush, pointed eye liner brush, brow & lash brush and a brow & lash groomer.

The brushes themselves look very pro, they're just plain black, with black bristles also. They have coloured writing on them naming what brush it is which looks very sleek and works well with the design.

I looked online to see what the pricing was for these products and the I'm Turning Pro set is £18.99 in Superdrug, so they're slightly cheaper than the main stream Real Technique brushes - and just as good!

I'll leave links on the names of the products to where you can find the brushes.

On my YouTube channel I will be doing an every day make up look using these brushes, so I will talk about them on my channel also, I'll keep you all updated for when I do this - I did attempt to film this but I finished it and my phone decided to let me know it had stopped recording half way as my memory had ran out - I have never been so angry!
But now I am loaded with flu so wearing make up doesn't really appeal to me. 

But from what I know from using them in the failed video - the brushes are so soft and great on your skin.

10/10 from me LAB2 and thanks a lot for sending them over!

I definitely need some make up brush holders now, got plenty of brushes and not enough space haha!

Thanks for reading guys. Let me know what you think of the brushes in the comments below.

See you all soon.
Love Amie
XX