Why I Have A Love Hate Relationship With Nostalgia

2.26.2018

This topic that I'm really eager to talk about on my blog today has been at the very top of my 'blog ideas' page in my notebook for a heckin' long time and that's because I'm a little nervous to approach it. Plus, it's been a little while since I wrote something that was a little more personal and closer to home and so I thought I would start writing and just see what happens. 


I wanted to talk to you about nostalgia. It's something that everyone is likely to experience at some stage and it's defined by being a wish or desire to return in thought to a former time in your life. It is sentimentality for the past and is typically a period or place that has happy personal associations. It is such a bittersweet feeling where you're longing for the past and things that have already happened in the hope that you'll feel more at ease with whatever is happening around you in the moment you're currently living in. While most people feel nostalgia when they watch a movie they used to watch a lot when they were younger or it's triggered by a familiar scent you wore on your favourite holiday, my relationship with nostalgia has become quite overwhelming over the last couple of years.

Truthfully, I've developed a love hate relationship with it. To refer to myself as being a sentimental person would be the biggest understatement of the year. Mixed with being overly dramatic, getting far too attached to places and people and having an undesirable fear of uncertainty, I find myself feeling overwhelmed with nostalgia all - the - time. And let me tell you that it's exhausting.  I've always viewed it to be a defense mechanism where I'll constantly think about the past in order to escape the present moment. Having an A Level in Psychology certainly doesn't mean that I'm an expert when it comes to this kinda thing, believe me, but it's something that has been on my mind a lot over the last few months.

I love the comfort that comes with nostalgia and I think that's one of the reasons why I feel like I'm constantly living in the past. It's oddly reassuring to think about something that has already happened, whether it be good or bad, purely because no matter how hard you try it cannot be changed. Whereas the future is completely uncertain and no matter how much planning we do, it's extremely rare that everything will pan out exactly how you expect it to. And while I'm all for being spontaneous and looking forward to what the future may bring, I find it almost impossible not to cling onto the good moments that I've already lived through.

While the sensation of reliving moments from my past can bring me the greatest sense of comfort and familiarity, there is one reason in particular why I hate how time consuming the feeling of nostalgia can be. And that's simply because I worry that I'm being so caught up in what has already happened that I'm getting too distracted to create new moments in my life. The idea that I'm wasting all of my time reliving my past is terrifying to me and yet I'm constantly finding myself doing just that. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing but when it affects what's happening in my life right now then it starts to become a problem. 

I don't fully understand what can cause nostalgia to occur so frequently but it's something that I am striving to gain a clearer understanding of and keep it under control this year. I really want to start living in the moment and appreciate things as they're happening and not 6 months down the line. This post is definitely on the personal side but it's like I've said before - this blog is my space to write about anything and everything that comes to mind. And who knows, maybe I'll reassure someone out there that they're not alone if they're also experiencing this kind of thing. 

I hope you're all having a wonderful day and I'll see you all again very soon.

Lots of Love,
Meg X

10 Of My Ultimate Favourite Films

2.21.2018


Today's post has been a longggg time coming but it's finally here, woooo! Now, don't be fooled by the photo because those aren't actually my favourite films, you'll just have to keep reading to see what they are. But if you're anything like me then you're always looking for a new film to watch and I just so happen to be a huge film lover. I get so engrossed in films and I'm one of those who is always rambling on about the editing, cinematography and soundtracks. I appreciate everything from the way it's filmed to the scripts and of course the acting. And despite this post being harder to write than I anticipated, I do have my top 10 ultimate favourite films for you guys today. So, grab yo self a cuppa because this will be a long'un! Note: They're not in order, that would have been way too difficult!



Girl, Interrupted (1999)

One of my best friends introduced me to this film a few years ago now and I instantly knew I'd love it because we have such similar tastes when it comes to films. Starring Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie and Directed by James Mangold, the film is based on the true story of Susanna Kaysen who is a young woman who finds herself in a women's mental institution set in the late 1960's. I was fascinated by this film from the moment it started. It just has this "vibe" about it that I love. It's definitely difficult to watch at times so I'd recommend researching more on the trigger warnings before watching but it gives you a little insight on what it was like back in the 60's and how mental health was viewed by those who have perhaps never experienced it. I completely and utterly adore the soundtrack in this film and generally it's one of the most under appreciated films ever made.

The Intern (2015)

I only watched this film for the first time last year and it really pulled on my heartstrings. It's not a romance but I found it so unbelievably moving and it's inevitable that I'm going to love anything that Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro are in. This film is about a hugely successful business woman who owns an online fashion website. The company hire senior interns and due to hating the boredom that comes along with retirement, 70 year old widower Ben decides he's got nothing to lose and goes for the job. I think the reason why I love this film so much is because it truly highlights the differences between our generation and the one before us. Anne and Robert's characters form such a beautiful yet completely unexpected friendship and that's what I find so heartwarming about it. It's such a cosy, funny and feel good kinda film that everyone has just got to watch at some point. 

The Sound of Music (1965) 

I'm convinced that I've been watching this film since I started walking and talking. This one never gets old and it's one that my whole family enjoy watching together. There is something just so comforting and familiar about this film and even growing up I found myself in awe of the soundtrack, costumes and characters. Despite the fact that I probably didn't fully understand the whole plot growing up, I've always felt so sentimental about this film and even at the age of 18 I'll often find myself singing along to the well known and loved songs that bring back so many memories for me. 

Hidden Figures (2016) 

I felt every single emotion under the sun during the time that I watched this film. The story is about a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a crucial role in NASA during the early years of the U.S Space Program. They serve as the brains behind one of the greatest and significant operations in history - the launch of the astronaut John Glenn. It's set in the 60's and is full of kick ass moments which at the time that it was set were simply extraordinary. I felt as though I learned so so so much and I felt so happy that the females behind the success of something so significant were getting the chance to tell the story from their perspective as opposed to through the eyes of the men. It's such an eye opening film and these extraordinary women made their mark in history. I just think we can all be inspired by this film. I have so much love. 

The Theory of Everything (2014) 

This film is one of the most moving films I have ever seen in my life. I found endless inspiration in this film and I felt as though I learned so, so much. The Theory of Everything starts in the 1960's and follows the story of the brilliant genius that is Stephen Hawking who is played by the utterly talented and charming Eddie Redmayne. The film captures Steven discovering that he has a motor neuron disease at the age of 21 and from then he begins an ambitious study of time, of which he himself has very little left according to his doctor. Stephen is one of the most celebrated physicists of our time and it's one of those films that truly will have you smiling and crying from start to end. 

La La Land (2017)

It doesn't matter what kind of mood I'm in, the second I hear a song from the soundtrack I instantly feel so much better. I utterly adore this film like most people and I definitely wasn't put off by the ending, in fact, it's one of the reasons why I love it so much. Films that can pull off an unpredictable ending that actually make sense are always a winner in my eyes (hence why I'm not the biggest fan of the typical romance films). I found myself identifying with Mia from the very beginning and I think that's why her character is so likable throughout the film. The cinematography is an absolute dream and the soundtrack is, well, absolutely perfect. My top favourites have got to be someone in the crowd, audition (the fools who dream) and city of stars but it's a close call that's for sure. I'll admit when I first saw the trailer for this one I was so hesitant about whether I'd like it but I was completely blown away and I've already lost count over how many times I've seen it. 

Eddie The Eagle (2016)

I didn't really know anything about this film only that my Grandad had nobody to go and see it with him at the time it came out so I decided to go with him. I mean, how bad could this film be? Well, well, well. The emotions in this film hit me like a tonne of bricks, my goodness. Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman are phenomenal actors and their chemistry was faultless. This film tells the roller coaster story of Eddie Edwards, a British skier who competed in the Winter Olympics and truthfully I didn't know much about him before seeing this but I was just blown away by his determination and inability to give up his dream. It's a truly moving film and I've discovered that I simply can't watch this film without crying my eyes out. The cinematography and soundtrack is stunning and I absolutely adore the 80's vibe and how realistic it is. Definitely one of the most under appreciated films out there.

The Greatest Showman (2017)

After seeing this film three times in the cinema since it came out just two months ago, how could it not make my top ten list. I'm just mesmerized by everything that this film offers. It stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Zendaya to name just a few of the phenomenal actors and it's inspired by the wonderful imagination of P.T Barnum. It's an original musical which celebrates the birth of show business and presenting everyone as equals despite differences that society have deemed as inappropriate. It truly is a celebration of humanity and the message behind the film is something which I strongly love and admire. The soundtrack is exceptional, wow. It really is a work of art and it's rare that I discover a soundtrack where I genuinely love every single song. 

Harry Potter (2001-2011)

I'm constantly changing my mind about which film out of the series is my favourite and so it's only fair to include the film series as a whole, I hope that's not me cheating my way out of it too much. There isn't much to say here because the majority of people have watched and fallen in love with Harry Potter just like I did when I was much younger. I read the books and it was always inevitable that the films would never be as good, but having said that, the Harry Potter films are a work of art. I always feel beyond overwhelmed watching the films. The sense of nostalgia is something I find so much joy and comfort in and I'll never tire of talking about the endless reasons why I'll forever be grateful that they exist. 

The Imitation Game (2011)

Now this one is my ultimate favourite film of all time and has been ever since it was released which will come as absolutely no surprise to those of you who know me or follow my social media. I saw this film in the cinema when it came out in 2014 and instantly fell in love with it. In fact, I can remember getting goosebumps when I saw the trailer and I just knew that this film was going to be something very special. Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech, Mark Strong, Charles Dance, Alex Lawther. I mean, the cast says it all. I adore each of the actors so much individually that when I saw that they were all going to be in this film I just knew that I had to see it. The plot focuses on the true story of the legendary crypt analyst Alan Turing and the British intelligence agency on their journey to breaking Enigma in Bletchly Park during the second world war. I have watched this film endless times and there hasn't been a single time where I haven't cried or experienced goosebumps and I'm shocked at how little I knew about this story until I saw the film. The acting, script, cinematography, editing and soundtrack cannot be praised enough. I am utterly and completely in love with everything about this film and I can't see a day where it won't be my favourite film of all time. 

And breatheeee. There we have it. My ultimate top ten favourite films of all time. You can probably see that I'm a sucker for films based on true stories. How could you not be though?? They make me cry uncontrollably every single time! The bottom half of the list definitely varies depending on what kinda mood I'm in but nothing has seemed to budge The Imitation Game from my top spot as of yet. 

Anyway, I'll love you and leave you. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for a new post coming soon where I'll be talking about the importance of self care.

Lots of Love,
Meg X

A Whole Lotta Lovin'

2.15.2018

Bonjour my beautiful readers! Whether you love it or hate it, it's that time of the year once again where there is a lotta love in the air. Even though I do think that Valentine's Day is just another money making scheme, I also think it's a great opportunity to show the people in your life that you're closest to just how much they mean to you - whether they're a partner, friend or family member. So, today I'm talking Valentines and all the reasons why as I've gotten older I'm actually starting to appreciate it a little more.


Growing up I never really thought too much about this particular day. I never expected to receive anything *cries* and it was just one of those days that everyone made a huge deal out of, and still do. Every single year, Valentine's Day somehow gets bigger and bigger and there are roses in every single shop you go into. It's pretty hard to avoid it. But whether it's because I'm a bit older or because I'm actually a romantic at heart OR because I'm simply too sentimental for my own good, I'm learning to love this day that everybody seems to dread. 

Since this day is about the lurvvv, I now see this as an opportunity to tell those in my life how much they mean to me. My friends and family are everything to me and it's so important to appreciate them and everything they do because I'm definitely guilty of taking them for granted. So I thought it would be fun in this blog post to write a little something to the people that I love and am very grateful for. So much cheeeseeee, I love it. 

To my friends

You know who you are and hopefully you're reading this but I'd be so screwed without you guys. You've put up with me for so long and unfortunately for you I'm not going anywhere so you'd better get used to it! I adore you all more than anything in this world and every single day I count myself the luckiest person alive to have friends like you in my life. Thank you for the shoulder to cry on, the laughs, memories and adventures that we've still got to come. You keep me grounded, you take care of me when I'm waiting for the storm to pass and you've always got my back regardless of what might be going on in your life. In other words, you're all my saviours and thank you doesn't even begin to cover it. I don't tell you this as often as I should but I love you all endlessly and I promise I'll be there for you until we're old, grey and reminiscing about the good ol' days. I'm so proud of who you have all become and if anyone ever asks me what my greatest achievement is in this life, I'll only have to look back at the day we all met to know. 

To my family

I doubt any of you will ever read this but it goes without saying that you're always there for me. From the moment I was born, you've always been there, picking up the pieces after me. I very rarely express my love and gratitude for the things that you continue to do using words, but I hope that my actions and choices reflect the type of person you've raised because she's striving to make you proud every single day. Most people don't count the love they have for their family on Valentine's Day, but you were my first love, my unconditional love throughout my life and you'll always be apart of me, even when we fight and say things we don't mean, I know I would have lost my way a long time ago without you. I understand now as I get older about the sacrifices you've made for me over the years and so to my family, thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. 

To my girlfriend 

You may not have been in my life as long as others, but if there is one thing that I know it's that love isn't measured by time. Our love is measured by laughter, the way you constantly support me, the way you take my hand and the way you radiate happiness wherever you go. Your thoughtfulness and kindness inspires me every single day and I'm beyond lucky to have found you. I think it's safe to say that I didn't expect someone like you to come into my life at this point and I certainly didn't expect to fall for you so quickly, but I did. The way you put everyone else before yourself just goes to show how incredible you are and I'm proud of you beyond words. I can't wait to see where this journey takes us. Thank you for putting up with my odd sense of humour, my complaining and how I make you smell every single candle in every shop we've ever been it. But most of all, thank you for loving me. 

So, whether you're all about that self love and you treated yourself to a long overdue pamper session or you had a special date planned, I hope you all had a wonderful day because everyone deserves to smile. This is your little reminder to tell those around you how much you appreciate them because we often forget just how important those people are.

I'll see you all next Tuesday for another post so keep your eyes peeled for that one! 

Lots of Love,
Meg X





Pancake Lovin'

2.12.2018

Oooooh pancake day, how I love you. I haven't got the biggest sweet tooth but there is something about pancakes which I bloody love. Seriously, why can't this be a monthly thing as opposed to an annual?!?! You've guessed it, today I'm talking all things pancakes and my absolute favourite toppings because we've all had an endless debate over which toppings are the best, amirightttt?? 




I don't care what anyone says but pancakes are the absolute best and each year I love trying out new toppings and flavours. Yep, I take this day v v V seriously. I'm always disappointed that I wasn't born a month earlier so I could have the perfect excuse to have pancakes on my birthday but hey ho. 

Classic Lemon n Sugar

My absolute go to is the most basic but oh the MOST delicious and that's a good ol' squeeze of lemon and sprinkle of sugar. You literally cannot go wrong with this and yep it's basic but it's also the best so it's a win win for me. I'm not a huge fan of citrus flavours or scents but when it comes to baking of any kind I'm always looking for an excuse to throw lemon in there somewhere so you can understand why this is my fave topping. Yum yum yum.


All the berries 

If you'd have asked me when I was 10 years old what I wanted on my pancakes, this option would have been at the very bottom of my list. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I had a tantrum one year because we only had berries in the fridge to have on our pancakes. But I bloody love fruit, especially this time of year. And I always feel less guilty for throwing loads of colourful and delicious berries on my dessert instead of cream so again it's another win win, kind of. Blueberries and raspberries are my absolute faves but any kind of fruit is yummy, especially with a dollop of yogurt or even syrup. This one is definitely underrated so definitely give it a go!


Chocolate Overload

Like I mentioned earlier, I definitely don't have a sweet tooth and I always find most desserts or treats way too sickly but that's the beauty of pancakes. It's so fun and easy to mix and match different toppings and even adding a small amount of nutella can be sososo yummy and it goes so well with banana and strawberries. Plus, we only get pancake day once a year so why the heck not??? Go wildddd.

And there we have it. I hope you all enjoy pancake day and to those who don't enjoy them or take any notice of this day, I hope y'all have a wonderful day anyway. 

I'll see you Thursday with another blog post where I'll be talking all things Valentine's Day! Ooooo I can smell the cheese already...

Lots of Love,
Meg X



Why Keeping A Journal Is No Longer A Chore

2.08.2018

I'm almost positive that most people at some point in their life have tried to keep a diary or journal and failed. We get to the New Year and we vow to keep a diary and write in it every single day for the next 365 days knowing full well that we'll forget all about it by March. Yup, I've been there. But late last year I stumbled across a journal that caught my eye and so I asked for it as a Christmas present and it wasn't long before I became obsessed with it. I genuinely look forward to using it and that's because it's not your typical "dear diary" kind of journal which if I'm completely honest I find can be way too much effort to write in most days, especially when nothing much happens. So, I wanted to show you the journal which has completely transformed the way that I feel about them and why I'm now that person who secretly loves keeping one. 




I don't think you can purchase this anymore but I discovered it on the Next website because they actually have some pretty decent things on there around the festive period. Firstly, it's so aesthetically pleasing and I'm in love with the pastel theme. On the first few pages there is room for you to create a bucket list and I've actually chosen to write my New Year's Resolutions there so that I don't forget what I'd like to achieve this year. Throughout the journal there are some beautiful and motivating quotes which adds a lovely touch to it and they can really make a difference depending on what kind of a day you're having. 




But what caught my attention and the main reason why I really wanted to give this journal a chance is the layout of it. Instead of staring at blank pages which is what really puts me off keeping a diary, you answer questions (the same questions) every single day. So instead of boring yourself to death with the events from that day, I just find it SO much easier to answer the questions in order to keep track. The questions as you can see from the photo below include things like writing how you felt and what the weather was like using emojis which is always fun, and writing 3 things that went well, things that didn't go so well and things you want to improve on tomorrow. And honestly, I find this so enjoyable and therapeutic to use. Even if there are days where nothing exciting happens, I always try to write as much as I can because when I look back I can remember the days that most of us forget. I also use this journal to keep track of my mental health which I've found really useful even if it is difficult to write about my bad days at the time, I know I'll thank myself when I eventually look back and reflect on the year as I'll have a better understanding of what might be making my mental health better or worse etc. 




Journals are definitely not for everyone, but if you're anything like me then you love reflecting on what went well, what didn't go so great and then focusing on how you can make tomorrow a better day. We're only in February and yes there is every chance that I could get bored of this in a few months but I'm actually thoroughly enjoying it and I can't wait to look back on everything that happened, both the good and the bad, at the end of the year. I know in 5 years time I'll appreciate things like this so much, even if it can seem meaningless at the time. You only have to follow my social media accounts to know that I love documenting anything remotely interesting that happens in my life and I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. But I have fallen in love with keeping a journal and I never thought I'd say that so this really is something worth writing a blog post about.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this one and I'll be back again on Saturday with another post.

Lots of Love,
Meg X

Monthly Roundup | January Edition

2.06.2018

Just a little heads up but my blogging schedule in February will be Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays just as a trial run to see how it goes!

Hello my beautiful readers! I've decided this year to write a blog post at the end of each month in order to keep track of my 2018 as opposed to getting to the end of the year and forgetting half of the things that actually happened. I was quite hesitant to do this because there are definitely months that are a lot busier and more exciting to write about than others but I thought it would be fun to talk about some of the things I have enjoyed throughout the last month and well, let's just see how it goes.

It's very true what they say, January has felt like the longest month of my life and I can't figure out why. I love the New Year and the feeling that I can start afresh, a blank canvas if you will. I always feel as though nothing ever happens in January which has been the case this year. But I am definitely learning to love and appreciate the little things that make my day that little bit brighter. And on that note and despite the fact that January has consisted of endless studying, mock exams and feeling under the weather, it hasn't been the worst start to the year and so I want to summarise the things that I have loved.


As you can see, this months favourites are completely random but hey ho I'll try not to ramble on too much here because I don't want anyone falling asleep on me!

Skincare & MakeUp

  • Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - The first thing I want to mention (which isn't featured in the photo but don't fear because I can sense a post dedicated to this stuff coming soon because it's just that great) is the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish which has been my saviour on those cold and frosty mornings. My skin has been so problematic this past month despite sticking to my skincare routine but this cleanser is so lovely to use and I was lucky enough to get the festive edition so it smells of gorgeous mint and clementines. 
  • Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation - I am so thankful to have had this in my make up bag throughout January, especially as it has such amazing coverage which I've definitely needed to cover up the redness and terrible breakouts. I know covering your skin during a breakout isn't the answer but I've felt so much more confident wearing this foundation when my skin has been problematic and it just looks so flawless on the skin. 
  • No.7 skin illuminator - I haven't applied this too often but I have enjoyed mixing it with my foundation and it makes my skin look and feel so much healthier. I'd highly recommend for this time of year when your skin may be a little on the dry side.


Music, Film, TV & Books


  • The Greatest Showman - Oh my goodness. I have already seen it twice in the cinema and I'm already planning on going a third time this week. The soundtrack, choreography, acting, cinematography, editing, ahhh. I'm in love. 
  • Troye and Camila - I adore both of these artists so much and they've both released new music this month which has made me fall in love with them even more because it is sosososo stunning. I really haven't listened to a wide range of music this month purely because I'm playing these on repeat and I have no regrets.
  • Jane the Virgin - I'm kinda hating myself for not joining in on the hype sooner but I just bloody love it. It's just such a brilliant feel good show. Don't get me wrong, it can be unbelievably frustrating at times but oh so worth it.
  • Grace and Frankie - I have endless amounts of love for this show and I can't recommend it highly enough. The latest season was released this month and as always I finished it within two days. If I'm being completely honest, it wasn't my favourite season but having said that I laughed, cried and fell in love with it all over again. The ultimate cosy, feel good show.
  • Harry Potter books (specifically The Order of the Phoenix) -  As some of you may know I've been re reading the books recently and they just make my downtime so much more enjoyable. I feel so overwhelmed with love and nostalgia whenever I read them and they have been a great comfort to me this month when I've experienced anxiety and stress for sure. 

Other Bits and Bobs

I have way too many random bits and bobs to find a category for everything I've loved this month and this post is already longer than I would have liked so I'll be quick with these I promise!

  • Water Bottle with Infuser - I don't know what else to call this but I'm obsessed with it and it's really helping me stick to my 'new year I should really start drinking more water' resolution. I love that it has the times of the day on the bottle as a reminder to keep hydrated throughout the day because despite being an adult I still struggle to remember to do this, ooops.
  • Day & Night Nurse Tablets for cold and flu - Before y'll judge me, I have spent half of the last month feeling so under the weather. From tight chests to sore throats to losing my voice completely to having a temperature to everything else that could have made me feel even worse, I've had it all over the last few weeks but these have been a complete life saver. Read the instructions and be so careful using them of course but I wish I had known about these before because three days after taking them I felt so much better. Oh adulthood, what fun you are. 
  • Daily Journal - I have never in my life kept a journal but I genuinely get excited to use this one. I won't talk about this one too much because I've got a post coming later this week where I'll be telling you all about why I'm now that person who keeps a journal and secretly lovessss it.
  • Anna Saccone Necklace Duo - I was sososo lucky enough to receive two of Anna's necklaces for Christmas and I am in love. I absolutely adore wearing them, whether I wear them separately or pair them together, they are so stunning and rose gold will always be a winner in my eyes.
  • Mon Guerlain Eau de Perfum - Oh my goodness. I completely and utterly adore this scent and it's one of those perfumes that when I smell 10 years from now I know I'll be instantly reminded of this Christmas. I won't try and describe it because I'm awful at describing anything but it's just heavenly, even if it is a little on the pricey side.


And there we have it. Hallelujah. Give yourself a pat on the back if you've made it this far. I love reading these monthly favourites or monthly roundup blog posts and I was keen to give it a go, despite the fact that January has been a pretty dull month. Touch wood I'm starting to feel slightly better and February will consist of pancakes, adventures and new discoveries. 

Thank you so much for reading. I'll be back again soon with another post for you all.


Lots of Love, 

Meg X

Let The Eyes Do The Talking

2.03.2018

I am definitely, absolutely, 100% NOT an expert when it comes to doing make up but over the years I've grown to love it. I no longer find doing my make up in the morning to be a chore. I just adore experimenting with different brands and colours, especially as the seasons change throughout the year.



I wanted to create a post to share my current top 3 favourite eye shadow palettes with you because truthfully I have been completely obsessed with them ever since I got them throughout last year. Like most people, lip and eye products are my absolute favourites to buy and experiment with and through the years, especially over the last twelve months, I've grown to love certain shades that I tend to use on a daily basis. Like I said, I'm definitely not an expert but I thought some people might be interested to see which three eye shadow palettes I am completely and utterly obsessed with at the moment.


1. Colourpop 'Yes Please' Palette - Click 'here' to see. 




I received this palette as a gift last year and oh my goodness. The colours say it all. I tend to prefer matte eye shadows so this is right up my street but what caught my attention with this one is how vibrant the colours are. They're just sososo stunning and there isn't a single colour I haven't used (yes, even the bright gorgeous yellow). The pigmentation is out of this world, you really don't need a lot on the brush (trust me, I've made that mistake before and ended up with it smeared all over my face). I haven't bought too many things from Colourpop but I've always heard amazing reviews. The only downside is that the brand isn't sold within the UK so I had to order this off House of Beauty instead. This palette is definitely a little out there but it's just heavenly to use and I always receive compliments when I do reach for it. 


2. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette - Click 'here' to see. 




This palette is such a cliche, I know. But I fell in love with it last summer when finally gave in and treated myself to it. Once again, the range of shades are right up my street and the pigmentation is incredible, definitely not as good as the Colourpop palette but beautiful all the same. I adore this one because the variety of matte and shimmery shades means that I can use it subtly throughout the day but it's also ideal for those times when you're getting a bit more dolled up. As you can probably see, my absolute favourites from this palette are 'Salted Caramel', 'Creme Brulee' and 'Hazelnut.' I also love to use 'White Chocolate' just under my brows and it looks super pretty. 

3. Morphe Fall Into Frost Palette - Click 'here' to see. 



You can probably start to see by now which colours I'm immediately drawn to when reaching for an eye shadow palette. This one is definitely more shimmery as opposed to matte but the range of colours is stunning and this one is particularly gorgeous for the Autumn / Winter. I'd heard such incredible reviews about the morphe palettes and I can completely understand why. It lasts all day and they're sosososo lovely and easy to apply. I'm utterly in love with the colours in this one and just like the other two the pigmentation is unbelievable. Trust me, this one is definitely worth considering if you're looking to treat yourself.

And there you have it - my current top 3 eye shadow palettes. I had a clear out last summer because I realised that I didn't use half of the stuff I owned but I have used these three items SO much since I bought them throughout last year. I'd highly recommend them to anyone on the hunt for something similar! Thank you so much for reading, I hope you're having a beautiful day wherever you are. 

Lots of Love,
Meg X

The Year That I Embrace Change

2.01.2018

I've never come across a word that allows me to feel so much joy and pure terror at the same time. Change. It's something that everybody experiences and it could mean something pretty drastic or it could be the smallest of things. Everyone reacts differently to changes in their life and I'm one of those people who is one extreme or the other. By this I mean I either embrace the change and accept it or I'll have a complete and utter meltdown and it'll be the end of the world. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that either but It's definitely a topic I'd love to talk about in the hope that I can reassure at least one person that you're not alone in this. 



Whether it's because I'm 18 years old or because I'm the most dramatic person you'll ever meet, everything that happens (regardless of how significant it may be) feels like such a huge deal. And it's normal to feel as though everything is getting on top of you and you'll somehow never be happy or successful in life (I told you I was dramatic). But we face change constantly. Change is all around us and it's something we very rarely have any control over which is quite frankly what terrifies me about it. I consider myself to be a spontaneous person but there are things that I like to plan and it's the uncertainty that is associated with change that makes me so fearful of it. 

This year I am starting University in Brighton which is a long way from home. I'm originally from North Wales which is where I'm currently living and despite my enthusiasm and excitement to move to Brighton, I am utterly terrified. And that's because of my endless list of 'what if's?' That's the scariest part about any form of change, no matter how big or small it may be. I'm so certain that I'm going to utterly adore living in Brighton as it's something I've wanted and looked forward to for a long time coming. But the question marks surrounding this huge change in my life are what makes this terrifying. 

I want 2018 to be the year that I fully embrace change and seize every single opportunity that comes my way, regardless of how scared I may be of the risks and consequences. Change is scary but I've recently learned that actually coming to the end of my life with loads of regrets is even more terrifying. I truly want to live a life that means making the most out of every single day and I don't want anything to hold me back this year from just saying yes and going for it. Of course this is so much easier said than done but I'm so eager and determined to give it my all. 

Like I said, I'm fairly good at embracing change. I'm a big believer that everything happens in this world for a reason and it is through change that I feel as though I'm learning and growing as an individual. I want to embrace changes this year and make the most out of every opportunity that comes my way. No matter how frightening these changes may be, I'm striving to enjoy every single moment and fingers crossed everything works out for the best. 

Thank you for reading this one, I'll be back again soon with another post.

Lots of Love, 
Meg X

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