Yearly Archives: 2019

Beauty Know-How For Sensitive Skin*

01st March 2019

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Living with sensitive skin can be a big pain at times; your skin might flare up without much warning, and you’ll then have to deal with annoying red patches and spots. It’s not exactly the prettiest thing to have on your face and it can really knock your confidence. What’s more, annoying is when things that should be good for our face, such as cleansing and exfoliating can cause it to flare up.

There’s no need to despair over your sensitive skin too much though, there are a few ways you can be gentler with it and end up with clear and soft skin. Read on to find out about some great beauty know-how for sensitive skin.

Read Ingredients On All Skincare Products

You will have already found some great skin products for your skin, these are probably ones that don’t aggravate your face too much. However, if you do ever need to buy a new product and you haven’t used it before then it’s really important that you read the full list of ingredients; you’ll then be able to stay away from products that have any potential irritants in them. For example people with sensitive skin will be better off staying away from any fragrances and harsh chemicals.

Moisturize Regularly

It’s also necessary to moisturise your skin on a daily basis. This will lock in more water to your skin which can help soothe any flare ups. All of that moisture will also prevent the skin from drying out and becoming irritated. If your skin ends up red and sore after using your current moisturiser you might be using the wrong kind for your skin. Work out your skin type so that you can find the best type of moisturiser for you.

Photo by Anis M on Unsplash

Don’t Cleanse Too Often

It makes sense that clean skin will be less irritable but did you know that if you cleanse sensitive skin too often it can actually be bad for it? That’s because cleansing can actually be quite harsh on the skin, especially if you are using a strong cleanser. Firstly, you need to make sure that you are using a cleansing product that is gentle enough for your skin, then once you are happy with it you should try to stick to just one cleanse a day.

Find Effective Breakout Treatments

Most people with sensitive skin regularly suffer from spots, breakouts, or acne. Once you start to get on top of these problems you should find that your skin starts to get less sensitive. It can take a bit of trial and error to find the best treatment for your acne breakouts, as we all have such different skin. It’s really worth trying different solutions to figure out which one works best for you. Differin is an acne treatment gel that will work well for some people, other people might find that their skin reacts better to different ointments and creams. If you ever get confused or have questions about your acne treatment, it’s worth speaking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Protect Skin From The Sun

Excess exposure to the sun will make sensitive skin much worse. Generally speaking, it is highly advisable to wear a sunscreen with a high SPF every day, even on days when the weather is bad and very cloudy. You may not be able to see the sun but its rays will still be in the atmosphere and they will still affect your skin. So, be sure to add some SPF to your skincare routine even on dull days. On very sunny days you should seek out as much shade as possible so that your skin isn’t in direct sunlight too much. It could still make your skin sore even if you are wearing a good SPF.

Make Your Own Face Masks

Face masks are great for any type of skin. They can add a lot more moisture and will really soothe any irritation. However, some that you can buy from beauty shops can contain harsh chemicals which could cause sensitive skin to flare up. To prevent this from happening you might want to start making your own homemade masks. Ingredients like oats and natural yoghurt can be very soothing on the skin and help keep breakouts down to a minimum. If you search online you’ll find lots of great DIY recipes.

Use Gentle Exfoliators

Exfoliating can be quite harsh for sensitive skin so it’s best to limit this as much as you can. If you do need to exfoliate then you should make sure you use gentle exfoliators that are made with natural ingredients.

Hopefully, these tips help calm down your sensitive skin!

Posted in beauty, skincare

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Cat Lady Fashion feat. Oasis

27th February 2019
A few days ago I posted a spring dress wish list and mentioned that I’d re-discovered the high street hero that is Oasis. They’d somehow slipped off of my radar for a while but a month or so ago a fellow crazy cat lady at work mentioned they had some fabulous feline themed pieces in store, and with a shopping tripped planned with my Mum that weekend it seemed only right that I pay them a visit.
It was a tough call between this dress and this jumper but after trying both on it was swiftly decided that it was the skater dress that was coming home with me.
This dress is just part of a partnership with the animal charity Blue Cross which provides support for pets, and pet owners in need, ensuring they can access affordable veterinary care and finds homes for abandoned animals. I could quite easily have taken everything home as I had forgotten just how well Oasis clothes fit and how good quality they are.
It’s not just this collection that has caught my eye either. Oasis are currently killing it with their new arrivals and it’s seriously paining me that I can’t afford to go on a wild spending spree (especially as they are running 25% off some of their seasonal styles at the moment).

For now I’ll just enjoy my latest addition to my ever growing cat themed clothing collection. Is being the wrong side of 30 a bit old for this kind of novelty print? Not a chance…not in my book anyway…the more cats the better for this lady.

Posted in brands I love, cats, dresses, fashion, outfits, personal style, shopping

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The Spring Dress Wish List

23rd February 2019
The recent milder spell of weather and odd sunshine bathed day has me full of hope that Spring might be on the horizon; I do remember having this same train of thought last year though and then we got hit by The Beast From The East so we’ll see how long this optimism lasts! Still, un-predictable weather aside it’s been a long time since a wish list post graced this blog, so here we are with my current obsession- dresses perfect for that transition in to Spring.

Monki Wrap Dress | Joanie Star and Scallop Dress

I love the bright and bold prints on both of these dresses, especially the star and scallop print on the Joanie dress. The Monki shirt dress looks perfect for dressing up for work, or down with trainers for the weekend, and the Joanie number is a bargain at just £30.

Floral Skater Dress from Oasis | Unity Posy Midi Dress from Joy

Both Joy and Oasis dropped off my radar for a while, and both used to feature regularly on the blog back in the day. These floral dresses are both ideal for Spring and I’ve made myself a promise to frequent these stores more regularly for inspiration and the occasional purchase when budgets allow. I did pick up an awesome dress in Oasis just after Christmas which is coming up in a blog post soon. Florals for Spring may not be groundbreaking, but they sure do work.

Ruffle Floral Dress from Warehouse

I saw this dress pop up on Warehouse’s social media recently and instantly fell in love. My current shopping ban means I can’t make the £69 purchase at the moment but I’m mentally making excuses to break the ban; would it be perfect for a late Spring wedding I’m going to? I’d love some opinions on this as it might be enough to justify the spend!
What’s caught your eye lately? I’m loving the high street right now, and it’s the worst possible timing to feel so inspired to shop as all of my spare pennies are being filtered towards spends for the epic holiday Bob and I have planned…it’ll be worth it, but I can feel my halo slipping.

Posted in brands I love, dresses, fashion, personal style, shopping, wish list

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5 Fun Ways To Create Wild and Wonderful Wedding Day Memories*

19th February 2019
You’ve probably been to quite a lot of weddings in your time, and not all of them have been memorable for the right reasons. You wouldn’t want your guests to leave with negative comments muttered under their breath, you want to make a hugely positive impact right away. Whether you’re dreaming of the perfect wedding video to take home after the day is over, or you’re thinking about a unique source of entertainment there are so many different options you can explore. Creating wild and wonderful wedding day memories might be at the very top of your priority list right now, so let’s explore all of your options here.
1.Stunning Singers

There is nothing more amazing than listening to stunning singers during the ceremony, at the wedding breakfast and at the evening reception. You could hire a gospel choir or a quirky band that will really leave their mark on your big day. Instead of opting for something that has been done a million times before you could truly make your special day completely unique. Not only will this create wonderful memories for you, but it will also ensure your guests have the most amazing time.

2. A Photo Booth

One of the best ways to collect unbeatable memories is to hire a photobooth for your evening reception. As soon as your guests have had a few drinks they will want to leave you a special picture to commemorate such a fabulous evening.

3. A Quirky Guest Book

Instead of your traditional guest book, why not opt for something a little unique for your big day? You can purchase jigsaws, where each guest write their own personal message for the bride and groom. Or you could invest in a small tree where guests can hang their message to you. Not only does this serve as an amazing decorative item, but it also gives you a different guest book option.

4. Vibrant Video

A wedding video will ensure you never miss any special moment of your big day. From the moment you walk down the aisle, to the funny best man’s speech, there are so many wonderful things it will capture. Look for a videographer that fits within your price range and you will be able to collect some wild and wonderful memories to last a lifetime.

5. Fabulous Photography

When it comes to choosing your perfect photographer, you need to make sure you’re truly on the same page. When you share a vision with the person on the other side of the lense, your photos are bound to come to life right away. Make sure you outline every shot you want to achieve from the big day so that you aren’t left disappointed when you get your prints back.

You have always been a huge fan of making memories, especially when it comes to planning your special day. You want to ensure that everybody on your guest list has the best time ever, without forgetting a single moment. There are many ways in which you can achieve this so consider all of the ideas above and you will have the picture perfect wedding bursting with memories.

Posted in inspiration

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Hit Refresh

16th February 2019
Is there anything better than a fresh hair colour to pull you out of a funk? Finding this perfect red shade via my local hairdresser a couple of years ago marked a real turning point for me; it became the shade that signified re-finding my confidence after a hellish few years, and getting back out there in to the real world and embracing recovery with everything I had.

Last weekend, determined to pull me out of my January blues, Bob packed me off to the salon (he kinda owed me after telling me he’d never seen me with so many grey hairs) and I came home re-vitalised and ready to plough on through these last few kilos of weight restoration and turn my life in to something even more fulfilling than it already is.

I picked this dress up in the & other stories sale after Christmas. Still an extravagant purchase for me, but I couldn’t leave it behind. It’s exactly the kind of thing the true me loves to wear, and being all floaty and forgiving it’s perfect for those all too frequent days where body image isn’t my best friend.
And so far this refresh is working, it’s not easy, in fact this is probably the hardest phase of recovery from an eating disorder. My BMI is no longer wedged far down in to the underweight category, and arguably I don’t look underweight in the slightest. I live in silent fear of being judged for my decision to add another 5kg to my frame despite knowing I’m doing it to enable all the things I still want to achieve to happen.

Time is ticking and I know that if I want to start a family, if I want to live the rest of my life in a world where I don’t count every calorie or scrutinise every menu within an inch of it’s life I need to do this. And what’s shameful about wanting to be the best version of myself I can possibly be? What’s so wrong about wanting to have a healthy figure that has the energy and strength to start running again, or embrace the great outdoors and go on long hikes or bike rides with my boyfriend or my friends and family?

I couldn’t resist adding in this picture of Pablo and I, taken in one of his rare co-operative moments. It’s hard to believe he ever fitted in to the palm of my hand, or nestled in to my neck when we first met him at 8 weeks old. He’s a right little character who keeps us on our toes- he’s obsessed with foil, meows relentlessly at the fridge for slices of cooked chicken, he’s destroyed every toy we’ve bought him and makes our living room look like a toddler tornado has run through it. But he’s the sweetest, most sociable little creature and yet another addition to my life that simply wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t hit refresh two and a half years ago.

Posted in dresses, fashion, life, life stuff, lifestyle, outfits, personal style, recovery

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