Mini Haul - Yaaay for hauls!

 

                               Hi pretty people:) Everyone loves a good haul, myself included. I was going to do a video of what I bought as I love videos on this type of stuff and I think sometimes you can see the products better; what do other people think of videos on blogs as well?

    Without further a due let me show you my mini haul!

Outer Wear: I have wanted a tailored blazer for aaages! They're so wearable with every outfit and I think they instantly add a touch of class to any outfit. Most of the jackets I've tried on though, had big shoulder pads,or fit properly in one place but not another, and I seemed doomed to never have one. Then I spotted this one at the back of the rail(I'm not fully sure its this seasons stock). Its jersey material, so it doesn't remind me of an office jacket and has only soft removable shoulder pads. It's a size UK6 so fits perfectly around the waist and shoulders, which is normally a big problem for me. It does have pink pin stripes on the inner cuffs but these can be turned down, meaning you're not tied colour wise. It was €13 which made it a bargain too!

                                                   

Underwear: I haven't seen underwear in many hauls but I was so happy with these I had to post. I have serious trouble finding my size in most places, I'm a 32F but can sometimes wear a 32E, depending on the fit of the bra. Up to now this had meant that bras for me started at €30 and only went up in price! By pure chance when I was shopping in Dunnes I spotted these bras in my size and had to try them on. They had about six styles in total, three of which I picked up, as the others just were not a good fit. I don't understand why Dunnes does not advertise this range more as I can't be the only one who struggles to find cheaply priced underwear in bigger sizes? I have worn all the bras since I bought them and they're very comfortable with good support.

                                       

Bra: €15 Briefs: €6

Bra €15

Basics: I have been buying quite a lot of patterned harem style bottoms as I had virtually no summer clothes, and this seems to be this season's most popular print and fit.  So after bringing them home, I realised I had no plain tops to pair with them, so off I went back to Pennys/Primark to pick up some basic tops and t-shirts. Generally I think Forever 21 is better for basics, but there is none near by :( First world problems!!

                                          

Top Row: All tops €7
Bottom Row: All t shirts €3.50

Shoes: This is always a hit and miss area for me because I have tiny feet; I am a UK2/E.U.35. This is fine for boots when I can wear a UK3 without too much discomfort, but it is a problem when it comes to sandals or shoes with a higher heel!Thankfully, kids sandals have come a long way and generally they are a miniature version of adult summer foot wear. The turquoise sandals in the picture are actually a size UK3 from Pennys/Primark but they're a very small fitting so are comfortable. Both other pairs of shoes are a size UK2. 

                              

Back Row L-R: Both Pennys
Sandals €8
Red Ballet Flats €5
Front: Dunnes Gladiators € 14 

Accessories: One of my favourite things to buy, but I am terrible at adding them to my outfit! All the items in the picture are from Pennys/Primark, and I honestly don't think the picture does them justice. Pennys has some amazing accessories this season and I wish my local store would get more stock in so I could take advantage of this! The cuff is stunning on, and on a mental health-y type note, its also great for covering self harm scars while they're healing. But don't do them in the first place!! Tattooed Alice in Wonderland cushion was a gift from a wonderful person, if anyones interested I will try find the name of the online shop it came from.

      
                          

Three layered necklace Approx. €5
Head Band €2
Cuff €5

Bags: This is another area where I really feel Pennys has really upped its game. The choice of styles and colours has improved while the prices have stayed reasonable. I completely fell in love with this brightly coloured Indian inspired clutch! With it's variation of colours it would be the perfect accessory to a summer outfit, or just enough to add a pop of colour to a neutral or white based one. Pennys also has some amazing statement necklaces to compliment this clutch which will complete your outfit.This bag has a zip closure and a small pocket inside. I also picked up this oh-so-cute makeup bag, as my other one had gone too small for my makeup:( Its all very emotional as my best friend Zoe bought me my last makeup bag! This bag has a canvas feel, zip closure, wipeable inner lining and will fit most full size make brushes. 


                         

Clutch €11
Makeup Bag €4

I also wanted to post a picture of a recent purchase from Pennys I didn't get in that haul. Its this sleeveless ivory top and amazing statement necklace. This top is great if like me, you don't like wearing tight leggings with something over them. The necklace adds such a pop of colour and its gold detailing makes it perfect for summer!I'll be paring it with navy capri leggings and white and wooden wedges. 
                 

View up close of necklace.

                  

Ivory Top €11
Necklace €10
Nail Polish in mint €1.50
Capri Leggings €4

Have to mention quickly Pennys nail polishes. I have mint, cornflower blue and a browny colour. They look lovely on the nails, come in really pretty boxes and are €1.50! The only thing I don't like about them is they smell pretty strong. 

Anyways!:) Thats all I have for you today. Everything I bought was with my own money, I am in now way sponsored (sadly!!) and all the opinions I've given in all of my reviews is my own. I'd love to see what other people are buying for summer! Thanks for reading and as always feel free to leave a comment or contact me on Instagram(where I live!)xx

                           

                      

                       

A woman's monthly curse!!

   


                     So, I'm curled up here on a Sunday morning in a big fluffy jumper, feeling crap, sleepy and sore, craving food that I know is not good for me.....sounds like I'm hungover? Well, I'm not. Welcome to me while having my period :(

                                               

                 I know,  mother natures curse. I HATE having my period, but in fairness it has become easier as I've gotten older. I suffered so badly with the pain that at sixteen I had an operation to have the nerves which cause period pain snipped! Thankfully I haven't had to take such dramatic action since; I'm still really tired, I can still eat my body weight in chocolate and I still experience quite an amount of pain. Over the years I have found some things which do help make it more bare able, and I decided to share them, with the hope it might help some other girl currently in pain out there. Ooooow:(

• Fish Oil : This is one of the most effective products I have found for this problem. Fish oil helps keep my hormones regulated, which prevents me from becoming super bitch as I used to, while also helping with hair, skin and nails and general health. I would recommend purchasing this from a chemist or health food shop, rather than supermarkets. They do versions now specifically for women with added ingredients which are particularly beneficial to us. Try get the capsules as the liquids are foul, and you'll wind up not taking it. Most of these capsules are around the €20-25 mark, expensive, but well worth it. These need to be taken continuously.

                                                 

• Deep Heat Patches : These are great for people who suffer with cramps and find the heat helps, but can't bring a hot water bottle to school or the office!.These patches don't smell and stay attached all day while providing a great source of heat and comfort. I have tried other variations of these patches, but the Deep Heat versions are the best by far. Some other brands I tried even burnt the skin on my stomach! These are available in chemists and some super markets. 

• Paracetamol and Nurofen : I recommend having both of these, as a nurse once told me nurofen is much harder on your stomach than paracetamol, so paracetamol may be the better option for people who suffer with nausea and upset stomach in the first few days like myself. A lot of new painkillers specifically for women also contain caffeine and codeine, which I personally have mixed feelings about. If you suffer from anxiety caffeine is one of the first things doctors will generally recommend you cut out of your diet as it can increase the heart rate and make you 'gittery'. I can understand people using caffeine as a boost (I drink coke while I have my period!) but I'd rather get it from coke than from a tablet! This is just  my personal preference, however codeine is a highly addictive substance, and should not be taken unless absolutely needed.

                                                 

                                       

• Water : This is simple enough, but staying hydrated will help with the headaches, keeping your skin clear and improve your general over all health. 

• Sleep : Again a really basic one, but a lot of women forget that their body is under extra pressure during their periods and most women do need more rest. Try not to schedule any major social events or anything particularly physically demanding during this time if you feel yourself extra tired during this week. Try to take some time to take some deep breaths every now and again too.  

• Exercise :  Kinda contradicting myself here, but exercising does help with the cramps and stress of having your period. I have never been a major gym bunny,  but I do know a gentle walk can be a huge help with cramps. It also helps boost your mood:)

•  Thrush : Ok not the nicest topic to talk about, but it has to be said. After their period many women suffer with thrush as the P.H. balance of that area of the body has changed. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist who can recommend creams and over the counter products to help with this.  Its not unusual, women get thrush all the time after antibiotics also, and its nothing to be ashamed of:)

• Birth control :  This can help with period pains and a lot of the problems that come with periods. It can help regulate your cycle so you know when to expect your period also. This is an option you can discuss with your doctor, and there are many different types of birth control out there at the moment. 

• Be nice to yourself! This is the best advice I can give!:)  Some of us suffer, really suffer with periods and all you can do is try listen to your body and make yourself as comfortable as possible. So go and have that chocolate bar !!!

                                       

         I hope this post was a help to someone out there. Do any women out there have any other tips for 'surviving' the week? I'd love to know, and thanks for reading:) x

Vichy Dermablend Foundation Review

                     Let me first say, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Vichy throughout my late teens and early twenties. However, anything I have bought from them recently I have been delighted with, hence why I decided to try this product.



                       


                       As anyone who watches YouTube videos, particularly beauty ones will have noticed the new ads for the relaunch of Vichy's Dermablend range.  The range has five products in total, three of which are new,they are the corrector stick, total body foundation and the corrective compact cream foundation. They also have the best selling corrective foundation and mineral powder and I was lucky enough to get my hands on some samples of the corrective foundation in different colours to test out:) 

                   First of all my mother tested out Sand - 35. My mother is just upwards of fifty but has some deep set lines around her mouth and open pores. (I may have no where to live if she ever sees this!) She applied this with her fingers and felt the makeup was too heavy and actually accentuated  these problems rather than helped with them, and I was inclined to agree. She felt the make up was like a mask on rather than a foundation. Sadly she wouldn't even let me take pictures and went off to wash it off straight away. 

                    

Me with no make-up
Cant believe I'm putting a no make-up selfie out there!

                    So the next day I decided to give it a try on my own cleansed and moisturised skin, but decided against a primer. I was using the lightest shade which is called Opal - 15 with my trusty Real Techniques Beauty Blender; love this sponge! I particularly chose the beauty blender for application as I find it great for sheering out foundation that might be slightly heavy otherwise. I was shocked!! The coverage of this foundation was amazing, and the colour, though looking like it would be too orange, was perfect. You also only need the smallest amount, making it very good value for money, always a requirement in todays economy! You really do need to work to blend this foundation, but the coverage is flawless and it lasts all day. When using the foundation I didn't need any concealer on my dark circles and didn't require any powder to set it. I didn't find that it gave a mask effect at all, or the dreaded 'I'll need a trowel to get this off later' effect, just wonderful even looking skin! I have since used my fingers to apply the foundation, and as long as you don't use a lot of the product, you get exactly the same results.

                                   

After applying Dermablend foundation

             In hindsight I think the are a few reasons it didn't work for my mother. Firstly I don't think this particular version of the foundation is meant for mature skin, we used way too much product and also I think we didn't blend and buff the foundation enough. I think with open pores and fine lines, it is essential to take some time to work the product into the skin. A quick tip for people who have open pores is to use a brush of any kind, and buff in the foundation in circles. This will help to fill in the pores and make them disappear, but don't be too rough as you are effectively exfoliating the skin doing this. 

Before

After

       
                I also tried to cover a few tattoos with this, and again the coverage was very effective, but the foundation was too orangy for my skin tone. I have since seen they have a new body foundation, but whether or not the 'light' shade will be light enough remains to be seen. Has anyone tried the body foundation? Opinions?


                 
                   Despite having quite a few foundations in my collection I had to go out and purchase this. I don't have acne or very problematic skin, but it is great to know you have a foundation there that is a great colour match, and will cover any imperfections or discolouration. The foundation also has an SPF of 35 which is great for us pale ladies! 

                  It retails at €21.50 for 30mls, and is available in most chemists and larger Boots. (Don't forget Irish students, you can use your travel card to get money off in Boots!) For more see www.vichy.ie 


             As always I'd love to hear if other people found the range a success or not for them. Thanks for reading! 


P.S. Apologies about the bad camera I'm working on getting a new one!
  


  

                

E-mail and Instagram!

                                   

         

                Hey everyone:) Hope you're having a really good weekend so far. Just a super quick post to let you know there is links to my e-mail and Instagram (where I pretty much live!) at the bottom of the page. I'd love if people got in touch!:) Byeeeee! xx 

                           

First mental health post- nervous...

 
                         

         Ok well I said that this blog was going to be about beauty and mental health, among other things. SO I've done a beauty post, so time for a mental health one... I am nervous about putting details of my mental health up on the internet so plainly like this, because, despite all the campaigns and websites and organisations, there is still a stigma.  People often say things that they don't always mean to be hurtful, things along the lines of  'She/he suffers with their nerves' or 'You'll be right as rain in no time!' or my all time favourite 'Have you tried not being depressed/anxious/phobic?'. 
                            

                                

      

   I think, as someone who suffers with their mental health, their is still not enough information out there. Sure we know the day to day stuff, like you won't sleep as well, you will be tired, you're heart will race, it will affect your work and home life ect. But the real ins and outs of mental health, such as you'll develop things such as irritable bowl syndrome, therapy will drain the life out of you and you'll be flatlined after it, your body will occasionally give you this 'atomic bomb' feeling, which is it shutting down to protect your mind from over loading, these are the things that only doctors and suffers really know. 

         I suppose now I've given you a very brief over view of the general gist of things, I shall get personal(ooh er!). I have suffered with my mental health from four years old. Yep you read that correctly, four years old. I don't remember being four years old of course, but doctors and my parents have informed me that that is when the trouble mostly started and I pretty much spent the whole time crying, an aspect of my childhood I do remember for a fact. Sadly getting help for a very young child with mental issues in the early nineties was no where near as possible as today, and plenty of adults resorted to the 'bold child' or 'doing it for attention' labels, and let me tell you that does do a lot of damage to the child in question. Luckily, I have supportive wonderful parents who eventually realised that this was not the case and I started therapy around six. 

         We struggled hugely to get people to understand, especially my school, which was a constant struggle to attend due to the fact that my worse panic attacks seemed to happen when I was in school. People used to ask me what made school so frightening for me, and I really couldn't answer. Along with the panic attacks I started showing signs of the phobia of being or feeling as if I was going to vomit, or other people being sick. I had, and still to this day have very little idea where this phobia came out of.  As most of you know, young kids get sick all the time, so this made school difficult on two levels.  Eventually three years later I changed school, and it did improve for a while. Fast forward a few years, a move to a foreign country and back, a breakdown which involved self harming and I eventually left school for good just as I was about to turn sixteen. Eventually I saw a good psychiatrist who was able to help me and prescribed me the same anti depressant I'm still on today, it was not plain sailing from there, but it was a turning point.

       This year, in my final year of my degree, after being re diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, which was a mis diagnoses, and being treated with too much of the wrong drugs, (lyrica, valium, xanex, sleeping pills, you name it I took it, as it was all prescribed for me), I had a huge breakdown. I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Dublin, and spent the next three months there. I was re diagnosed with sever generalised anxiety disorder,(among other things)and found out my odd phobia, was emetophobia. I will do a post on this phobia again, but if anyone suffers from this or even if you're not sure if you do, google Rob Kelly, this man seems to be the main expert on the subject.  To this day I have only met one other person who suffers from this while in hospital, luckily she is also a wonderful girl and we support each other as much as well can. Hi Katie!!!:)


                                     

     

    So, hospital was scary going in, I'd never been anywhere like that. I met some of the nicest people I know in there and the other patients were such a help to me. Sometimes we even had a laugh!! But you do see things and hear things in there you will never forget and you realise just how sick some people are.One of the low points was when I went through benzo withdrawals while in there, which was horrendous. This is basically when you have stopped taking the likes of valium ect. and your body is craving it big time. Think of coming off heroin, thats what it does to the body and mind, every day and night, even in your dreams. In fact they say benzos are more addictive than heroin. I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH - BENZOS ARE NOT A LONG TERM SOLUTION !!!! The hospitals themselves have recognised this and these drugs are not treated in the same way there. However, many general doctors will prescribe them long term in large doses, its very hard to come off them and its scary going back to the anxiety but trust me in the long term this is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, and also your physical health. I was suffering with crippling migraines, loss of balance, unable to think straight or complete college work all of which lead to having to have two MRIs and a visit to a neurologist. But I'm not a doctor, this is simply my experience, always discuss medication with your doctor, and don't be afraid to look up your medication on line and ask your doctor any questions you may have. Anyways, rant over. You'd never guess it was a sore spot with me;)!?

      So, I'm back home now, I came out of hospital in the middle of February, and living with my parents and taking a break from college. Which is kinda how this blog came about. While living and studying in Dublin I had hobbies and friends and a sense of purposes with my study. But where my parents live is a small town and I know pretty much no one down here and there is nothing to do. My anxiety seems to be higher down here also, which makes me slightly agoraphobic. Apparently its to do with 'returning to the scene of the crime' type syndrome, because I went through a lot of my problems here, I am more anxious while living here. Think of it as going back to a place you were in a traumatic car crash, it brings all the emotions back and makes you upset.

   I think part of the point of this blog to me, is to explain what its like to suffer with your mental health and to try relate what I'm going through in a way that people who don't suffer with their mental health can understand, if that makes sense?? Also it helps me to reach out to people, as recovery can leave you isolated (not to mention having to live in a small town!) and sometimes you are so busy doing all the right things to recover, you forget what life is like to live!:) So its really nice to 'meet' other people, maybe connect with other emetophobics and just try get the word out there so people who don't have mental health can understand and can ask questions about it!

                                   

The 'visual' definition of anxiety!

    

        So I guess thats it for this post. I hope it wasn't too long or boring or depressing! If anyone out there is struggling, please know you are not alone, no matter where you are in the world. 

 
 

     

Eye make-up remover for very sensitive eyes

       
         I have very sensitive eyes, especially when it comes to make up remover! This, along with dark circles and very thin skin around my eyes, made finding a make up remover which didn't sting my eyes and took off all the makeup a challenge to say the least. Most cream based products seemed to seep into my eyes no matter how careful I was when I used them, and the oil based removers simply caused the same problems,left me with flakes of mascara and shiny eyes! 

      Then my prayers were answered! While browsing through my instagram feed, I came across a recommendation from the wonderful makeup artist Lisa Eldridge, which was the Nivea Daily Essentials Double Effect eye make up remover. Since it was my mom who picked this up I didn't realise it was an oil based product until I got it home :/ I decided to give it a try none the less and I am delighted with it! 

    In order to remove all, yes all, types of eye products simply give the product a really good shake, apply to cotton wool and hold gently to the eye for about a minute. Quick tip here; hospital grade cotton wool can sometimes have sharp..bits in it, so if you can use the cotton rounds, even if its just for your eye make up, your eyes will thank you in the long run! There's no rubbing required with this product, and don't forget to use the other side of the cotton wool, the product goes a long way. 

     Now for the practicalities. It retails for €4.25 for 125mls. I have seen it in loads of places including the bigger Pennys and definitely in Dunnes Stores. Its safe for contact lens wearers, suitable for all skin types and is ophth...ophthmal....its good for your eyes! 

    So, does anyone else with sensitive eyes have any recommendations? I always love to hear how other people get on with products and any questions please ask:)

Yaaaay for Nivea!

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First Blog Post

First blog post (obviously!), I guess this is where I introduce myself huh? Im not really sure what to say, I guess it's like writing an online dating profile! This blog is my way of reaching out and sharing my experiences with people, and I would love to help and get to know some people along the way:) The blog will be a mixture of beauty, make up and mental health along with what ever life throws at me!!