February Favourites

I never do regular monthly favourites; I forget to write down what I've been liking or even take notice as to what I reach for more often however, this month it feels I have been aware of a few products that I have suddenly found myself wanting to use everyday and I thought I would document them.

Space NK Life Ultimate Unwind Body Wash

This is supposed to smell of lime, green tea, cardamon and ginger but to me it just smells heavenly. Quite masculine (ish) and lemon-y (but not too lemony)-its the perfect combination of freshness and musky-ness and I could honestly smell it all day. Asides from its divine scent, it seems to do the job pretty darn well too.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

I bought this a week or two ago as I was in desperate need of a new concealer and had been hating the Collection Lasting Perfection more and more (sorry) as it was just so heavy and thick so I thought I would turn to this. Its a perfect light consistency, concealing any dark circles and actually making my skin look 10x better (something that the collection never did). I am a convert. 

Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow

I have recently discovered my love for this after working out actually how to wear it. It is a gorgeous yellow champagne; it's quite a thick, gel like consistency (which is surprising when you see it in the crayon form) which, once blended out gives such a gorgeous highlight to the lids and a candlelight glow. I just use my finger to blend it out but you can also use it as a base for other shadows as it lasts a super long time and the colour is so versatile, it can be toned down or layered on for a bold gold. I have loved pairing this with highlighted cheekbones (using Benefit Highbeam which I totally forgot to photograph oops).

Kallo Rice Cakes

I used to hate rice cakes, like h.a.t.e them. I thought they were like eating cardboard (they still kinda are-but nice cardboard) but after recently discovering that they make the best snack ever, I have fallen in love. I like them with peanut butter, marmite, nutella; literally anything-give me a rice cake nd I'll be happy (its the small things ;) )

Kodaline-In A Perfect World

This has been my go to music choice of February-I LOVE All I want (I could listen to it for hours-but not the video-it makes me want to cry) and I like the variation between all their songs; like I've said previously, I associate music with different times/events and I know this will be remembered as my 'Early 2015' music. They're coming to Newcastle on the 16th and it makes me ridiculously sad to know a) I can't go and b) they'll actually be here but oh well.

I hope you are all well; I've had THE most productive weekend which has included making a pair of pyjama shorts (that will no doubt feature soon) and a lot of fruit eating (tied in with french, maths and other delights). The nights are getting ever lighter which excites me immensely as it means spring is nearly here, I even had my first hot cross bun yesterday which was, as usual, delish.

What have you been loving this month?

Katie x

Currents: Listening: Ben Howard: Promise//Reading: I need something new//Loving: Fabric shops//Lusting: a huge make-up spree

100 Happy Things//Part Two

Part 1 of this series can be found here. I am beginning to really value to importance of the small things. It can be so easy to get strung up on the big events of life that are expected to be good: holidays, concerts, parties etc but really taking notice of the small things has, for me, made my overall opinion of happiness much more common-and hey-who doesn't like to be happy?

51.Chocolate fingers
52. Lazy days
53. Late night conversations
54. Playing badminton
55. Old friends
56. Bike rides

57. Sleeping

58. Pastel colours
59. Mince pies
60. Comments on my blog
61. Poetry
62. Marzipan
63. Kodaline
63. Fire
64. Guinea pigs
65. Messy buns
66. Tidy rooms
67. My food being all separated on my plate
68. Volunteering
69. Spring
70. Picnics
71. Typewriters
71. Long showers
72. Quotes
73. Making lists
74. Wrapping presents
75. Polariods
75. Satsumas (despite the smell)
76. People telling you that they miss you
77. Cafes
78. Good hot-chocolates
79. Roast potatoes
80. The countryside
81. Places of your childhood
82. Support
83. Continental markets
84. Out-of-focus fairy lights
85. Acceptance
86. Long and meaningful words
87. Chatting
89. People who smell good
90. Granola
91. Good days
92. Adventures
93. Sunsets
94. Sledging
95. Meals that go on for ages (with laughter and chatting)
96. Meaningful conversations
97. Clean hair
98. Photography
99. Giving
100. Learning

What small things make you happy?
Katie x
Currents: Reading: Starters-Lissa Price//Listening: Kodaline-All I want//Loving: Meeting up with old friends//Lusting: 90% of Topshop's dresses

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Pinterest round up #2

Bikini//Clovelly//Copper//Grey Tulle//Rain// Icarus// Flowers//Hair-spo//winged liner

I spend my hours outside of revision and tedious coursework gathering a selection of musings for future inspiration. The majority of it will never happen; I will never cut my hair, I will never have perfectly freckled and tanned skin or a bikini from Anthropologie (or even an eyeliner that doesn't smudge) but that's the beauty of Pinterest, its like a little world to escape to.
Summer feels like lightyears away, something that will never come with a mountain of 22 exams before but we have slowly began to collate some ideas. I have prom (for which a grey tulle dress would be my absolute dream but for reasons that seem totally unfair to me i.e I wouldn't suit it, it ain't gonna happen) and then several trips booked with friends including a city break and a few days walking in the Lakes which should be great fun. My dad and I are going to visit the little town in Devon (shown) as it was where he spent a lot of time as a child and it looks beautiful. English sea-side towns are my favourite places.
It is also on mornings of bright, crisp sunlight and promises of spring that I feel so much inspiration to redecorate my room and take photos and go on adventures and start numerous projects but then I remind myself: I have a limited budget (what with saving up for summer) and no time, but hey, thats what you get with this time of year.
In other news: I settled down last night to watch West Side Story for what must be the 17th time? Its a pretty crappy film but kinda awesome at the same time and was much deserved after probably the coldest walk on the beach.
School is bloody flying: we have 9 (?!) week left until our exams begin and this terrifies me but I am not sure if it is genuine fear or fear because I am not scared? I feel like I've already reached my stress peak. But for now I am in two minds, one of fear for not wanting my 'school' years to be over and for it all to get serious but the other just thinking of the 19th June when I can finally relax for the longest summer ever.
Half term has finally arrived for which I have few plans. I am popping up to Edinburgh for a night at the end of the week but other than that, I aim to watch as many movies as possible and chiiill out.

On a side note, I feel this rambly, 'making no sense' kinda feel is the route that my blog will take for the next few months, it sometimes feels like a loada' pressure to photograph 'immaculate' photos and compose a post that makes me appear like I totally know what I am doing (which I don't) so be prepared to hear a whole lot more of this nothingness.
Have you any plans for the Half term? How is revision going?
Have a great week,
Katie x
Pinterest

Room details #2

This is part 2 of my room details series-you can find part 1 here.
This area of my room has my bed in (basically the main feature) so is where I spend a large majority of the time. It has been like this for ages and I am actually thinking of doing a re-shuffle/decorate in this corner but it will have to wait until the summer when I have more time.

I went through this crazy phase a while ago about packaging, anything prettily packaged-it was going on display. On my lower shelf I display post cards, tins, bottles and a large Pannetone tin that I keep all my letters and photos and notes and things in. I do love that shelf, its like the iconic part of my room and it wouldnt feel the same without it.
I once again have fairy lights (these stay up all year-they provide a really nice gentle light for the evenings and look so super pretty) and have made these 3D star ball things that intertwine.  The top shelf is basically a mess-we wont go there.
I then of course have my bed, with the sheets from Cath Kidston (their 'Bedtime' range is to. die. for)
and a couple of cushions (hand made again-they should actually be on my bean bag I was trying to hide the fact I couldn't find the matching pillow case).
As my bedside table, maybe some what impractically, is a yellow chair. These were initially wooden and then as part of some crazy summer project I decided to paint a load of them-it takes longer than you think-but I think the yellow looks pretty cool and adds a splash of colour. Upon this I keep a mug with hand cream, a nail file, hair bobbles etc in to remind myself to do that kinda stuff in the evening. I also have my radio (extremely retro).
Lastly, I have my magnetic board. On here is a hella' load more labels and odd things that I liked. I have some random medals (with badges on) that clatter every time I move in my bed and some photos and then just odd little bits that I collected ( just like everything in my room).

I feel like my room can't give you many ideas of things to purchase as 80% of it was made by me when I was procrastinating but I hope maybe it can give you some inspiration for future projects!

I'll be back with my final installation of my room at some point and then maybe I'll move onto other areas? Who knows.
Have a good week,
Katie x
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Listening: Hudson Taylor-Open Up (I'm attempting to re-live Tuesday when we went to go and see them-best.night.ever)//Reading: nil pois//Loving: frozen yoghurt//Lusting: a grey v-neck slouchy top
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Recent Reads

I have been thoroughly enjoying reading recently; I always enjoy reading however I often struggle to find time during the school week when I am not exhausted or busy. However I have been spending my spare time on more productive things (more productive than Pinterest) and this has meant I have read a couple of really good books.

1. Restless-William Boyd-**** (sorry these are written in a really odd order)
It is 1939. Eva Delectorskaya is a beautiful 28-year-old Russian emigree living in Paris. As war breaks out she is recruited for the British Secret Service by Lucas Romer, a mysterious Englishman and under his tutelage she learns to become the perfect spy, mask her emotions and trust no one, including those the loves the most. Since then Eva has carefully rebuilt her life as the very English wife and mother, Sally Gilmartin-but once a spy, always a spy. Now she must complete one final assignment. Though this time Eva can't do it alone: she needs her daughters help.

This was a thrilling, quick paced novel that kept me captured right to the end. I was expecting maybe a little more drama and occasionally found it hard to keep up with where she was and who was speaking and what meant what but, from what I could work out, it followed an exciting storyline, flicking between dual narration of Eva and her daughter, both being equally entertaining tales.
Some of the characters are utterly detestable but it all adds to the atmosphere. I love anything to do with spies and it presented some interesting ideas of survival and trust which really got me thinking.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves a fast paced book with tonnes of action, doesn't mind mega long chapters and can keep up with 100 characters (its worth it I swear!)

2. Elsewhere-Gabriella Zevin **
Elsewhere is where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. But Liz wants to turn sixteen, not fourteen again. And now that she's dead, Liz is being forced to live a life she doesn't want with her grandmother she has only just met.
How can she let go of the only life she has ever known and learn to embrace her new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward?

In all honesty, this book doesn't know what it is. On one hand it presents some really interesting ideas about death, after life and what really happens to you when you die but on the other is so full of fantasy, has little story line as you already know the plot and is so totally unrealistic that the ideas it presents cannot get you thinking. Part of it could develop some really reassuring ideas in the minds of children about death but then, the ideas are potentially too complex however the writing is too fantastical and naive to either appeal to older readers or be reassuring to children. It was a really easy read and, maybe if you were younger could be quite entertaining however, it mostly just doesn't make sense. She falls in love with someone double her age and still loves him when she is two and the lack of storyline comes from the fact that Elsewhere is essentially the same place as earth. Personally, I was quite disappointed by this book.

3. We Were Liars-E. Lockhart *****
We are the Liars. We are beautiful, privileged and live a life of carefree luxury. We are cracked and broken. A story of love and romance. A tale of tragedy. Which are lies? Which is truth?

I don't want to give anything away about this book because you need to go into it with a clear head with absolutely no idea what its about or what has happened; it all adds to the plot. I too had no idea what to expect but that is the total beauty of it. It has however become one of my favourite books, it was so emotionally captivating and gripping and the writing style is so creative. I urge anyone to read this but read little into it before and dive straight; it totally adds to the book.

What have you been reading recently? Do you have any suggestions?
Katie x

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Sea and Sun

My new camera arrived on Thursday and, due to a bombardment of textiles coursework and the dwindling light, I hadn't really had an opportunity to use it.
My mum said she would drive me out to the beach early (not quite 5am) on Saturday morning to potentially catch the sunrise, and boy it didn't disappoint.
Early mornings plus beaches plus sunrises makes my absolute perfect morning. It was bitter, bitter cold and pretty empty, with just the odd photographer (also taking advantage of the beautiful winter morning) and dog walker but it was so totally worth it.
I know when I am older I want to leave Newcastle and move down South, somewhere near a large city but I am definitely going to miss mornings like this, where we can pop in the car for a 10 minute drive and end up at a proper beach-not a touristy one but a wild strip of sand. Newcastle isn't my favourite place but for combining everything (city, countryside, beaches, parks) it ticks almost all the boxes and mornings like this tell me that where ever I end up, I will need to be near to the beach. I need to be able to escape.
I am planning many more mornings like this, taking advantage of living in the east and capturing such beautiful sunrises; maybe I'll take a flask and some breakfast next time.

"I love early mornings when it feels like the rest of the world is still fast asleep and you're the only one who's awake and everything feels like it isn't really real and you kind of forget about all your problems because for now it's just you, the world and the sunrise"

Have you had any opportunities like this? What's good about where you live?
Katie x
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Memory Jar

At the beginning of last year, I sat down and created my 2014 Memory Jar (see how I created it here), to be filled with all the greatest memories of the year. I settled down on New Years Eve to open it up and look through all the bits of paper and re-live the memories (in my room on a dark New Years Eve) and my had I had some good ones.

So this year I hope to do the same but document even more. Last year it was the great things, the things that will be stuck in my memory for years to come but this year,  I want to document everything good, even the little mundane things that make me smile, I want to pop them in this jar so, at the end of it all I can see how good this year has been (because god I hope it is!)
I love little things like this, small ways to remember things. I am not too keen on writing a diary as I think (when I write it) the stuff I write makes me cringe. This however is a lovely way of remembering the small bits of the year.
What will you be doing to document this year?
Katie x
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Currents: Listening: Nothing//Reading: Elsewhere-Gabrielle Zevin//Loving: Organising my life//Lusting: Some new skin care

2015 New Year's Resolutions/Goals

I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions, usually seeing them as false promises that will inevitably be broken (cynical or what?) and I just don't really have the headspace/time to stick to a whole new routine.
I do however want to leave myself a few ideas of things I can do to improve as a person throughout this year and reminders for when it gets stressful.

1. Run and get out more
I enjoy running. I find it an easy way just clear my head and feel good. I also think it will be vital when exams start. When I go through a running phase, I try to go 2-3 times a week but most of the time sometimes it just doesn't happen-I hope to be more motivated this year!

2. Become more confident
When it comes to personality confidence (confidence on the inside rather than the outside)-mine is limited. I find it quite hard to talk to people  and feel little pride in what I do. I cannot celebrate my own success for fear of coming across cocky and when I do do something well, in my mind it is never good enough.
I hope to change this in 2015, learning to value my successes, understanding that I really am capable. I also really want to become better at talking to people (especially adults), asking questions and appearing interested.

3. Write
I have a summer of 12 weeks; I really hope to produce something-a short story, a selection of poems, a whole novel (I wish)

4. Keep my cool during revision, stick to a revision plan and don't let the stress take over
I have my GCSE exams this summer which I know will provide me with a lot if opportunities to get totally stressed and freak out. I ended up totally freaking out during one of my recent maths exams which was a horrible experience so fingers crossed, I can not let revision and stress take over. I hope to get through exams with a level head, well prepared and confident that I will do my best. I just need to believe in myself!
Even if it doesn't go as smoothly as I would like, I hope to get through it with a good set of results, I am aiming for all A's and A*'s but maths (my nemesis) may let me down.

5. Blog what I want, when I want
I often don't blog the things I want to: the reflective posts, the rambles, the things that have little purpose but in 2015 I hope to keep my blog purely as a place to let my thoughts free and connect with others, regardless of whether it will go down well.

6. Read
I really enjoy reading, finding it the perfect way to chill out but during stressful periods at school and times when I barely stop, I just don't have time. I don't know how many books I aim to read this year-maybe 20? But I do hope to spend more time doing it and also, trying out a variety of books, genres and authors.

7. learn something new
Finally, I hope to do something new. Whether this be a new skill, class or place, doing new things is a great way to change everything up a bit. I'm often not very good at going new places with new people so hopefully this will step out my comfort zone too!


And so they are my seven 2015 resolutions. Hopefully easy enough to stick to but I shall keep you all posted.
I hope for the best for all of you in the upcoming year!
Katie x
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