A Lovely Day #1

Hey!

Last weekend my sister and nephew came to visit! We decided to take a trip to Bicester village as I live a couple of station stops away on the train and I have been living here for 18 months and I had never been before now. I mainly went because i needed a new purse and knew they had a Cath Kidston there! I will be straight back there when i next get paid...the place made me a very happy person! Here are a few pictures I took throughout the day!

I'm still terrible at remembering to keep my iPhone at hand to take more but this is a massive improvement so expect to see more of these posts!




Sarah x

Recent Empties #2

Hey,

Wow my empties bag has been filling up since I have been back at uni and I'm only just getting around to writing this post and finally binning my rubbish!! I have used up other things that are not in this picture but they clearly went straight in the bin.

First up are these Dove Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo and Conditioner. So many people have raved about these and I really don't understand it! I have really dry ends so thought these would be amazing but they just weighted down my hair and it didn't do anything to help the dry ends! I've been loving Dove lately for there body wash and dry shampoo but i wont be repurchasing these!

The Batiste dry shampoo in Wild was such a lovely scent and I think my favorite out the whole range that is available in Boots. I do like Batiste but I'm not 100% excited about the chalky feeling it leaves! I would use it again though so the chalky feel cant be all that bad! Its all about the scent for me!!

I'm a really picky mare when it comes to hair sprays. I have been on a bit of a hair spray trial lately and have been buying different ones to try! After trying a few this L'Oreal Elneet is definitely not my favorite!! And the reason you may ask..... it didn't do anything!! My hair is thick and wild but it just seemed to disappear within 30 minutes! So the  hairspray hunt continues!

The Lee Stafford, Treatment For Hair That Never Grows Past A Certain Length has to be my all time favorite haircare product! Yes a year ago I had hair that the title of this product describes to a tee, but now its a good few inches longer! Looking back at pictures I used to have hair that was just past my shoulders and that is where it stayed. After using one of these following the instructions step by step (i didn't use the shampoo and conditioner in the range), it has grown a very noticeable amount! I may do a post on this magical stuff when I repurchase and will show before and after pictures so look out for that!

The Soap and Glory The Ultimelt definitely wasn't my favorite cleanser, as I'm not the biggest fan of cream cleansers but if you are into cream cleansers I'm sure this will be a hit with you! This product lasted me around 3 months and did leave the face lovely and smooth but its just not for me.

In the past I would not go a day without a new spot on my face so I have been on the look out for scrubs to use (so that I'm not using spot treatments on a daily basis) to try and clear them up! I did like this Garnier PureActive Exfoliating Scrub but it just didn't wow me and I have no clue why! I now have much clearer skin so I'm not using any spot treatments currently!

I love Sanex products! I have had their roll on deodorants in the past so when this was on offer I snatched it up! I have already repurchased this and will be doing the same when my current one is ran out too.

This Original Source shower gel was so lovely! The scent of it is just so girly. I wont be repurchasing it because I did get bored of it half way through and have a stash of shower gels waiting to be used but i would definitely say you would like it if you like girly sweet scents!

Finally I have a REN mini! This is another creamy cleanser and it smells a little too earthy for me so I wasn't the greatest fan, but it did feel nice on the face so i will be looking into more REN products to see what they have to offer in the further! 

Sarah x

Dove Refresh+Care Dry Shampoo

Hey,

About a year ago I would never use a dry shampoo...EVER and now I cant be without it! 

I used to be one of those girls that would wash their hair every night without fail because the conditioner I used made my hair all smooth for the next day which I loved...but really....it was washing away natural oils etc and drying it out! 

When stretching your washes you tend to go a little greasy so this is where they beauty comes in handy! 

For the past 10 months I have been using Batiste which I was getting on with and it did the job. I came across this Dove Refresh+Care Dry Shampoo when I was in Boots looking for something new to try, so picked it up to give it a whirl! 

I would personally say this was better than Batiste as it is not chalky, which I find Batiste can be and it just smells fresh!! I'm not really interested in all the funky smells that can be put into a dry shampoo, I just want one that smells like i have just washed my hair! 

This dry shampoo ticked all boxes after my boyfriend complimented me on how my hair smelt!! 

Sarah x

Dr Jart+ Platinum Beauty Balm!!

Hey, 

I purchased this about 3 weeks ago now and I'm so impressed! The main reason for me to buy this was to stop using such a heavy foundation as I am becoming more excepting of my combo skin...Yayy!  

Everyday Wear

I can’t really fault this product when I'm wearing it as my everyday makeup! My university flat is quite cool and of course it’s very cold outside so I haven't been sweating it off so it looks great all day long! I have been wearing it with a primer which I think has definitely been helping the length of wear! It’s not shiny buts gives that natural illuminating look with powder over the top, which I like and sure going to be loving this spring/summer.

If you looking for an everyday BB cream replacement for your foundation but still want a nice coverage that is not heavy, this could be a product you may want to give a go because I know I'm glad I purchased it! 

Hot and Stuffy Nursing Environment 

Wearing makeup while being a nurse is one of those parts of beauty that is normally a no go area; mainly because it is so stuffy on the wards that you end up sweating it off a few hours in! Most nurses working on wards I have been on go makeup free! I'm not 100% comfortable with my skin yet as it’s still a little red on my cheeks so I have been trying this instead of my trusty Revlon Colorstay Foundation!

I personally wouldn't say this was the best product for this kind of wear for those that have the same skin type as me! My skin becomes very shiny after about an hour on the ward and the product just slides right off my face! 

Pros

• A light product but has a medium coverage 
• Gives a nice illuminating look which will be great for spring/summer 
• A good 6 hour wear time when worn with a primer 
• Contains SPF 30
• Brightens skin 

Cons

• Can leave skin looking shiny (oily skin type)
• Make up slides of face in warmer climates 

You can get this currently from Boots website here for £14.67 (Normally £22) 




Sarah x

Whats Currently Keeping Me Clean!! #1

Hey,

Showering has to be one of the most important hygiene routines and its something I don't see talked about much so I thought I would share with you what I currently have sat in my shower!

(how I keep my shower organised)

Shampoo and Conditioner 

I seem to love Herbal Essences as  get bored of them so change to something different but I always come back to them! I'm currently using their Seductively Straight Shampoo (I have no idea why as I have curly hair naturally) and their Hello Hydration Conditioner which is so nourishing! The first thing I do is put my shampoo on and quickly massage and wash out! I was once told that leaving shampoo in can dry your hair out so its on my hair 2 minutes maximum! I then put my conditioner in and leave it in until washing it out is the last thing to do before stepping out!

Body Wash and Moisturiser 

I'm currently using the Dove Go Fresh Revive Body Wash! I'm not really bothered about what brand I use and although nectarine is a bit of a strange scent for me to wash myself with as its not really my thing but I actually quite like the Dove range! I also have a Nivea In Shower Moisturiser at hand in the shower but if I'm truly honest it doesn't get used as much as it should! I probably use this once a week if I want to leave my conditioner on a little longer, but its definitely not something I make sure I do every time....lazy I know!!

Essential Extras 

I can not take a shower without a puff (is that what you call them?) and my razor if I want to come out feeling squeaky clean!! This current puff came in a Dove Christmas set and I think its a lovely size (normally they are a little bigger). The razor I am using is the Wilkinson Sword Extra 2 Beauty Disposable Razors! I did change them up once and got the worst shaving rash in my life so i went straight back and don't plan on changing again!

Frizz Serum

I keep this John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Serum in my shower, as I was told it was best put on straight out the shower hair and if it wasn't here I would forget all about it! I was given this by my sister who didn't need it and at first I didn't see what it actually did but now that I wear my hair natural 70% of the time I do see a change in how wild my hair can go or not go as this seems to control it!

Sarah x

Primark Insoles!!

Hey,

In my job it is so important that you look after your legs...we do walk what feels like a marathon by the end of a 12 hour shift! After my first shift back into placement I noticed my feet and legs absolutely killed me and but was just blaming it on the fact it was my first 12 hour shift in 6 months! I took my shoes of that night and took a good look and found that the insole had completely worn down. I don't want to be buying new shoes so thought a nice extra insole would help!!

I knew Primark did insoles so went and had a look and founds these for a whole £1!!! BARGAIN!!

I'm actually really impress as they are really thick and comfy, which is what I want. These claim to:

• relieves pressure on the foot
• prevents heel shock
• supports arch of foot
• helps increase your stability 

Apart from the Stability I need all of what these little treasures have to offer!!

I have done a few shifts since putting these in my shoes and I cant say a bad word about them. I am currently doing 12 hour shifts which normally makes me dying to take my shoes off as soon as I get back through my front door but since these have been in I'm not so bothered! The one thing I was worried about was the insole flattening and staying like it but they haven't yet which in my eyes make them so worth the £1 and a repurchase!! They only have prints of my foot on them but they bounced back as soon as my foot were out about 5 minutes!!

These will be great for anyone who walks on their ball of their feet like me! And for £1 I think I will be stocking up on for when these wear down!

Sarah x

Blogger Love Tag!!

Hey,

Today I thought I would do the 'Blogger Love Tag' which was created by Fee over at Makeup Savvy! I love a good tag and I thought I was a good idea to actually sit down and think which bloggers actually have me glued to their blog...so here goes...

(Photo Created by Fee over at Makeup Savvy)

What was the first blog you ever came across?

I actually came across blogs after watching many a YouTube videos but think the first one I actually scrolled along to their blog much have been essiebutton! From there I found a whole blogging community which I now love being a part of!

Favourite beauty blog reads

I get excited when I see a new post published by Beauty and the Baker and Miss Makeup Magpie

Best blogging friend

Can I say my sister at Carol Clarke Blogs? I haven’t made friends with other bloggers yet! I just can never find the time to just sit on twitter and chat…never enough time in the day!! Although I would like to make some and would be happy to attend meet ups when I’m not at university!

Name a blog that enables your purchases

This one is a hard one for me as I just look at a product and will buy it if I like the look/sound of it! If I was to pick one though I would say Beauty and the Baker because her posts tend to stay within a nice affordable budget!

5 blogs everyone should be reading! 

Beautyand the Baker | sugarfixxbeauty | Callie Rose

Autumn Leaves | Ghostparties

Your favourite way to read blogs

Bloglovin!! Nine times out of ten it’s the only way I read them. I may just click a link on twitter which then I’m reading them on just an internet page but apart from that it’s always Bloglovin!

Bloggers that inspire you 

I don’t want to point blogs out with this question as any blogger who works full-time (this does not included blogging full-time) inspire me! I never plan to blog full-time as I want to be a nurse until I can’t work no more so those that have a full-time job and blog in their free time have my up most respect as I know how hard it is to find time.

 Favourite blog design/look

This is really hard but I would say Makeup Savvy as its very clear! I like blogs which are easy to read on a morning when my glasses are not at arms length and I never struggle reading this blog unlike others I read!

What is your favourite thing about blogging? 

Talking about products I love! I also love the blogging twitter community (#bbloggers). People are just so lovely if you ask questions or you offer your own advice to them!

Name a blogger you would most like to see write a book in the future!

Rebecca at Autumn Leaves as she does great posts on things not only beauty related but also how to run a blog! I would love a great book on how to run a blog; would be make a great read when accompanied with lots of great pictures

Anybody is welcome to take part in this tag as Fee states in here post! I have listed the questions below so its a nice easy copy and paste if you want to take part.

****************

What was the first blog you ever came across? 

Favourite beauty blog reads

Best blogging friend

Name a blog that enables your purchases

5 blogs everyone should be reading! 

Your favourite way to read blogs

Bloggers that inspire you 

 Favourite blog design/look

What is your favourite thing about blogging? 

Name a blogger you would most like to see write a book in the future!

****************

Sarah x

Caudalie Miniature Gift Set!!

Hey,

I received this beautiful gift set for Christmas! Normally I will use any mini that I have before the big products as I think they are just cute and I love using them. But this I have rationed because the products are AMAZING!!

I had never used Caudalie before this gift set so didn't know what to expect apart from my sister informing me that the divine oil was lovely! Because of this I was very opened minded and just love them all!

I would like to say the Make-up Remover Cleansing Water is my favourite but I just cant!! I love them all the same but if I was to only repurchase one of them it would have the be the the cleansing water. Just because I like the concept of them and have tried other brands before, but they just made my face feel tight and dry were as this does neither!

The Divine Oil is such a lovely multi purpose oil which can be used everywhere! I currently have a VERY dry neck (I have no idea how I got it but it feels like snake skin) and have been putting it on that, which has worked a treat! I have also been using it on my irritated skin on my face, which has helped to reduced the redness.

I think the one product that hasn't really stood out for me is the moisturising sorbet. I havens tried a moisturiser like it before but i don't think its any different to any of the drugstore moisturisers I have used in the past, and for £21.85 (here) I think it is the one product I wouldn't even think of repurchasing.

The one product that really surprised me in this set was the shower gel! I had never heard of Caudalie doing anything but facial skincare so I was excited to try this and it has not failed in impressing me! It's a soap-free, non irritating shower gel which ticks all boxes for me as my skin gets irritated by the slightest thing and this works perfectly!


Are there any Caudalie products you would recommend? 

Sarah x

This Month Iv Been Loving - January 14

Hey,

Gosh I feel really late with this but I've been loving all new stuff this month so thought I would share anyway!

My first favourite of the month has to be my Despicable Me boxset!! I have watched this far to many time for a adult to happily admit but i just cant get enough. If I'm feeling a little down or alone I just whack it on and boom...I'm fine again!

My Vichy face cleanser has to be in this post because for some reason I have been hit with a bout of sensitive skin (this is unknown territory to me). I didn't really take much notice of it when I was wearing makeup every day but now my skin is a lot clearer, I don't feel its necessary when just nipping out into town etc. But I have really noticed the red skin when I haven't been covering up! This beauty is so gentle on the skin and it feels so clean after without using anything harsh! My red skin took a few days to go down but it is nearly completely gone! This also makes a favourite because I got this on offer for about £7 when its normally around £10...Yay!!

As the cleanser is not made for the eye area, this month I have been getting to use my Caudalie cleansing water everyday to remove anything around my eyes before I wash my face. I absolutely love this stuff as its not drying and doesn't make my eye area feel tight! (post coming on friday where this product is featured more)

My last favourite has to be my newest purchase...the Dr Jart BB cream! Just wow!! I have not worn foundation since I went and got this! It was also a lovely on offer item and which I think was just over £14! Its so light so feels like your not wearing anything on your face! I don't want to go into to much detail because there will be a post coming up in a week or so!

Sarah x

My Nursing Essential

Hey,

As I have started back on placement, I thought it would be a nice to blog about my essentials when I'm in uniform!!

Littmann stethoscope - I like to carry my own stethoscope. its not necessary but I have an ear condition which means they can get very itchy! I'm very funny when it comes to my ears and this pretty pink thing fits perfect in my uniform pocket!

Maths and Medication handbook - This little handbook comes in super handy when you have a spare 5 minutes to sit and have a flick through to remind yourself have to work things out! It contains everything you need to know about the maths used in nursing.

My note pad - For me this is so important to have in my pocket! If a nurse is talking about something and I'm not quite understanding, I will write it in my note pad and then will research it in my own time on a day off! Handy little thing are note pads!

Pens - You can never carry to many pens!! I prefer to write with gel pens so I make sure I'm stocked up well as they go walkies everyday; without fail I will loss at least one! I tend to have 2 pens that are gel so I can write neat in notes and on observations charts and then I also carry a multi way pen which has a black  for back up and a red for when I need to write in red for any reason!

Pen torch - This is the one item I haven't used myself on a patient but while on placements, I have been ask a few times by doctors and other nurses if I have one for them to borrow! So its always good to carry one just in case as it makes you look good.

Name badge - My university provides a name badge but it doesn't say student nurse on it. It can get annoying when being asked by everyone if your a student nurse as your uniform is the old staff nurse uniform of the hospital you are on placement at! My best friend brought it me and I love it as I'm such a tinkerbell lover!

Fob watch - You can't go 5  minutes without this on a shift so I always make sure I have a spare battery at home to change it when it needs to be! (they are so easy to change yourself)

Scissors - Scissors are the one thing that not everyone carries and I think they are essential! It is so easy to go to placement just making sure you have a pen or two to write with and forget about all the other things that you may need within your shift. Carrying a pair can save you asking your mentor and maybe getting embarrassed! I use these at least twice on a shift for cutting bandages away. They are also useful when a name band is to long!

I.D -  As a children's nursing student its impossible to get anywhere without knowing codes or having a trust card to let you in! Its also mandatory to carry I.D on your person so I carry both my trust card and my university card in this cute holder! The card holder can be brought from many places online but this was brought while I was at Foyles Bookshop in London.


If your a student nurse, do you can anything else?

Sarah x

2014 Wishlist!!

Hey,

These are all the things I would like to own by the time 2015 comes around!

1. Redken Extreme Anti-Snap 

My hair breaks all the time!! I'd like something to prevent this from happening! I have tried drugstore brands but nothing seems to work, so I'm looking at trying something a little more pricey and have heard lots of good things about Redken so want to give this a go!

2. CANON IXUS 140 Advanced Digital Camera 

At the minute I have been using my iPhone! but I would like to have a nice camera to use for my blog, so that my iPhone doesn't fill of random blog pictures that I forget to delete. This is the one I'm liking at the minute and will probably have this on my birthday/Christmas list.

3. Redken Extreme Strength Builder Fortifying Mask 

The reason I want this is very similar to number 1 but instead this is meant to strength your hair! I love hair masks so this is something I really want to give a go!

4. Benefit b.right Radiant Skincare 6 Piece 

Well last year I found a real love for benefit cosmetics! When I picked up a minis set which contained their eye cream, I just fell in love. I'm looking at trying their other skincare products and think this is a fabulous way of trying new things. 

5. EcoTools Bamboo 6 Piece Brush Set 

I don't have many brushes and would like to expand my collection! These EcoTool brushes catch my eye every single time I'm looking down that isle in boots so I think its a sign to get some! 

6. MAC 217 Blending Brush 

I LOVE eye shadows and never go without it when I have makeup on, so would like to have a nice high-end brush as I know it will get used at every opportunity!  

Sarah x