Where the hell did the first quarter of the year go? Can't believe it's April... partly because it's only just stopped snowing here in blighty. This little scribble was done during the many hours of hardcore procrastination while I put off doing my assignments due at the end of my Easter break. I technically still have three weeks to get them done but there are three essays and a big-ass pile of revision as well so I need to get cracking!
Goals For April:
01. Complete #doodleadayapril on instagram (follow me @Bella_bun if you like!)
02. Eat clean 3/7 days a week
03. Make more complicated friendship bracelets
04. Revise for a minimum of 7 hours a week
At least it looks like it's getting sunnier. I don't want to get my hopes up too high but I think warmer climes may be just around the corner! Excited!
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I know I know, I should still be looking at parkas and jumpers but I just can't help myself!
I'm not quite as frilly, girly, pastel - obsessed it would seem this summer. I'm drawn towards things that are, yes feminine, but in a more subtle, grown up way. God help me I might actually be growing up.
The pieces here are quite interchangeable and it all works quite nicely in a 'capsule wardrobe' sort of way. The accessories and shoes go nicely with both the dress and top-and-skirt. I also think the pop of bright lip would tie each look together beautifully, and the hat would just add that effortlessly chic touch. DO you have any thoughts on what you'll be wearing once it warms up a bit?
An open letter to summer 2013:
Dear summer, hi,
HURRY THE HELL UP PLEASE!
Yours, Bella.
Dear summer, hi,
HURRY THE HELL UP PLEASE!
Yours, Bella.
If you're in the UK then you've probably experienced at least a little snow in the last week. It's getting on my nerves. It's definitely March isn't? I haven't had some sort of horrific memory lapse and now we're in winter again have I? Despite the depressing weather I haven't let it get me down and I'm still slowly stocking up for an amazing summer to come. I've decided I want to at least have a go at self tanning this year as opposed to staying my usual paley-pale self all year round, I'm starting gently though, minimizing the risk of cheesy wotsit legs.
These sunglasses are by John Galliano. I found them in TK MAXX for about £45 which I thought was pricey but really liked them, then a quick google search later I find out these babies are worth over £500! Not bad if I do say so myself! #bargainhunter.
I'm also using the summer as an excuse to add to my nail polish collection. I've bought Coral by Barry M and Lucky Lucky Lavender by OPI. Both gorgeous shades, though as it's reverted back to winter a little bit I may need to buy more AW polishes! What a shame right?
Are you still in the mood for summer? What have you been buying recently?
These sunglasses are by John Galliano. I found them in TK MAXX for about £45 which I thought was pricey but really liked them, then a quick google search later I find out these babies are worth over £500! Not bad if I do say so myself! #bargainhunter.
I'm also using the summer as an excuse to add to my nail polish collection. I've bought Coral by Barry M and Lucky Lucky Lavender by OPI. Both gorgeous shades, though as it's reverted back to winter a little bit I may need to buy more AW polishes! What a shame right?
Are you still in the mood for summer? What have you been buying recently?
Hi team! It's definitely been a while hasn't it.... yeah... sorry about that. But Easter break is here and, while I do have a crap-tonne of revision and essays to get done, I'm really looking forward to posting on here again. I've got a few posts planned with subjects like SS13 makeup, pampering skincare, tasty baking and a few personal-type-posty-things, so if you're interested definitely keep an eye out.
I go back to Uni on the 22nd of April and then exam season starts so I can't promise much will happen in the way of posting there, however after that I have three lovely free months before second year starts and I'll definitely get myself back into the blogging scene then. For now I'm really grateful to those of you who have stuck around and hope this next month I can get some good stuff on here for you.
Meanwhile have some pictures! >>>>
From Top: Accessorize | Handmade | Dorothy Perkins
I haven't made a friendship bracelet in years! But as I said one of my 2013 goals was to get more creative, even in small ways like cobbling together a handmade bracelet. I'm still proud of it mind, and the process was quite meditative and soothing. The DP bracelets were part of a large set of gold and pink stacking bracelets. I've lost a few already but i think it was about ten for £16 which wasn't too bad! I know it's still winter but like I said in my last post I'm buzzing for the warmer weather and have already started slipping in the odd pastel shade. Can you tell?
Bella
Bella
xox
I admit it. I'm completely bored with autumn/winter. I've had just about enough of living in grey and burgundy and trying to wrestle my coat off without removing my hoodie in lectures. Spring to me signifies a fresh start and I always feel much happier and more positive when the sun's shining and everyone's dressed in colours. I've been collecting little bits here and there, magpie fashion, for when things eventually perk up.
Anyway I just wanted to show a little collage I made out of various fashion magazines in my journal. (Yes I have a journal #sad) It's a great way to get in the mood for spring and to get ideas for colour coordination and mixing and matching key pieces which, when you're on a student budget is a necessity!
Apologies for the random 10 day hiatus. I've had a lot to get done and managed to get ill last week too. I do pick my moments.
I got this in a nice big set for Christmas along with a lot of other S&G goodies. Anyone who's stepped into my bathroom knows I'm a Soap & Glory freak. The packaging, the scents, the quality and the price of their products all tick my boxes so they're a brand I use time and time again.
This body scrub, first off, smells utterly fantastic. Not like the usual musky florals of the righteous butter etc, I sat for a good while with my nose in it, wondering what it smelled like until it hit me. It smells like citrus cake! The sharp smell of lime mixed with the sweet batter-y scents of sugar, vanilla and nuts go so well together and it was a nice change from the usual S&G scent.
The 'scrub' comes from tiny particles of smashed brown sugar and larger macadamia grains, so it's a good mix of big chunks to really exfoliate and smaller bits to polish and buff. I use this twice a week in the shower and afterwards can't stop stroking myself! (that sounded wrong; my arms people!) I get rough skin on my knees and elbows and having used this for a few weeks now along with a nice thick body butter I'm happy to report that the scaly skin is no more.
Once I've used this up I'm really keen to try more S&G scrubs. I liked Flake Away and I'm thinking about the Breakfast Scrub. Any other recommendations of your favourites? They just have so many!
Thankyou for reading!
I got this in a nice big set for Christmas along with a lot of other S&G goodies. Anyone who's stepped into my bathroom knows I'm a Soap & Glory freak. The packaging, the scents, the quality and the price of their products all tick my boxes so they're a brand I use time and time again.
This body scrub, first off, smells utterly fantastic. Not like the usual musky florals of the righteous butter etc, I sat for a good while with my nose in it, wondering what it smelled like until it hit me. It smells like citrus cake! The sharp smell of lime mixed with the sweet batter-y scents of sugar, vanilla and nuts go so well together and it was a nice change from the usual S&G scent.
The 'scrub' comes from tiny particles of smashed brown sugar and larger macadamia grains, so it's a good mix of big chunks to really exfoliate and smaller bits to polish and buff. I use this twice a week in the shower and afterwards can't stop stroking myself! (that sounded wrong; my arms people!) I get rough skin on my knees and elbows and having used this for a few weeks now along with a nice thick body butter I'm happy to report that the scaly skin is no more.
Once I've used this up I'm really keen to try more S&G scrubs. I liked Flake Away and I'm thinking about the Breakfast Scrub. Any other recommendations of your favourites? They just have so many!
Thankyou for reading!
It's been a funny old week. I've returned to uni but was suddenly struck down by illness and so haven't really made it to many of my lectures! I'm glad I'm back though. Surrounded by my wonderful flatmates who are nothing short of fantastic, and like a second, younger and better looking, family to me.
I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do this year. I mentioned in my last 'Weekly Inspiration' post that I want to start creating more so I've taken the plunge and ordered a needle felting set from a seller on Etsy. I've wanted to try it for ages after seeing all the cute things you can make (see little mouse-bear thing in the middle of the board above) and have finally gotten round to it so if it goes well I'll share my creations. I'm also hoping to get back into drawing (I'm a little rusty) and really crack on with drafting my novel. I have a really phobia of endings in fiction, so I'm struggling to think of a way to round off the story!
I can't wait to start building up my SS13 wardrobe as well! I just want stupid, cold January and February to be over and done with so it can start warming up a little (please PLEASE let it be a nice warm summer this year!) Current lusts include this skirt, these heels and this bikini set.
Speaking of bikinis I've decided to try to get in better shape recently. For a while, being in a not particularly happy place, I've neglected myself and stopped eating properly and exercising. But now that I'm getting back in the right direction I'm taking good care of this little body of mine. It's gone through some rough times and needs some love. If anyone would be interested on a regular diet/exercise update feel free to let me know and I'll see about making it a feature. I've found some really good exercise videos on YouTube and also some healthy tasty recipes that I've been enjoying so I'd be more than happy to share.
In all I want to start pushing myself. I want to break out of my little comfort zone bubble I've been floating around in for these past few years and really explore new realms of life. It's quite exciting really!
In all I want to start pushing myself. I want to break out of my little comfort zone bubble I've been floating around in for these past few years and really explore new realms of life. It's quite exciting really!
Right, I need to go to bed now. I'm completely knackered and have quite the to do list for tomorrow!
Thanks for reading
One of my 2013 promises to myself (not really a
resolution as it's hardly a serious life changing thing) is to take
better care of my hair. Come the end of last year my hair was a wreck:
over-bleached, dry and matted and just generally a horrible thing to have on my
head! Now it's returned to an easier to maintain colour and has be cut and
thinned so all the tangles are out and it feels so much healthier. I just need
to put in the effort of keeping it that way!
I'd been seeing reviews on hair serums and decided to opt for something that had good reviews, but was still affordable. I ended up with this and I do really like it. I wasn't sure quite how to use it or what to expect but after a bit of trial and error I've found it a godsend.
After washing and towel drying my hair I use two pumps run through the midlengths and massaged into the ends before brushing through and blowdrying. My hair looks and feels considerably softer and smoother when I use this regularly, and at around £6.99 a bottle it's far easier on the old student budget than thirty quid's worth of Moroccan oil! I do only use this twice a week however, as much more and I find my hair getting greasy quicker.
I am interested in investing in a more luxurious hair oil in the future when I've got a bit more money to spend, but right now this one's doing me just fine. Let me know if you have any hair treatments you swear by.
I'd been seeing reviews on hair serums and decided to opt for something that had good reviews, but was still affordable. I ended up with this and I do really like it. I wasn't sure quite how to use it or what to expect but after a bit of trial and error I've found it a godsend.
After washing and towel drying my hair I use two pumps run through the midlengths and massaged into the ends before brushing through and blowdrying. My hair looks and feels considerably softer and smoother when I use this regularly, and at around £6.99 a bottle it's far easier on the old student budget than thirty quid's worth of Moroccan oil! I do only use this twice a week however, as much more and I find my hair getting greasy quicker.
I am interested in investing in a more luxurious hair oil in the future when I've got a bit more money to spend, but right now this one's doing me just fine. Let me know if you have any hair treatments you swear by.
I rarely ever buy anything from Miss Selfridge. I'm not sure why but it's a brand I've always neglected. However I really think their SS13 evening wear is gorgeous! It might be a bit strange but I'm loving the slightly lingerie-esque feel to these dresses. The sheer black fabrics and sexy lacy bits give it a really seductive feel, and then adding some tough glamazonian shoes and jewellery gives a beautiful contrast without it looking cluttered or too 'try-hard'.
Everything here, aside from the shoes which are from New Look, can be found on the Miss Selfridge site. Just add some big sexy tousled hair with clean, simple makeup for a look that toes the line between 'classy, glamorous lady' and 'just rolled out of the bedroom.' It would be very easy for this style to look like you've actually stepped out in your undies, but I think the way Miss Selfridge has designed them keeps it very elegant with just a little tongue-in-cheek suggestion of sexiness.
Everything here, aside from the shoes which are from New Look, can be found on the Miss Selfridge site. Just add some big sexy tousled hair with clean, simple makeup for a look that toes the line between 'classy, glamorous lady' and 'just rolled out of the bedroom.' It would be very easy for this style to look like you've actually stepped out in your undies, but I think the way Miss Selfridge has designed them keeps it very elegant with just a little tongue-in-cheek suggestion of sexiness.
I didn't end 2012 in a very happy place. Not at all. But I'm determined to leave that behind, and use 2013 to do a lot of the things I've wanted to do for a long time. I think a lot of people want to see new years and fresh starts as a chance to find themselves. But I think I'd rather think of it as a chance to create myself.
Thing is, I don't think we are anything other than who we choose to be. I think sometimes it can be an excuse for someones bad qualities or undermining to someone's good qualities. People use "That's just who I am" to justify being rude or unkind. At the same time sometimes we don't appreciate when someone does something good for others. Just because that's who they are, of course they would do that.
I think it's so important to be conscious of our own behaviour so I want to give myself the next year to develop attributes I want and to improve myself. I want to improve my organisation, be more giving and more creative. I also want to be free in the way that I think and approach things. I want to be more appreciative of the little things and I want to make other people happier. I want to be silly, honest and kind.
I haven't really made any solid new years resolutions but I'm simply opening my mind to new things and hoping to discover and create and generally reach 2014 a little prouder to be me. I want to get into crafts, learn to cook properly for myself, find a form or exercise I enjoy and finally finish a draft of a novel! I don't care if noone reads it, I've wanted to write a book since I could first read and I just want to finish one!
I'm planning on having a weekly inspiration board such as the one above to help me get inspired. Feel free to use it to inspire you too! Or better yet create your own and link it below. I'd love to be see what inspires you. Every week I'll be talking about life and thoughts and just general things that wouldn't really fit in a normal post.
Thankyou for reading.
It smells a bit grim. Like plasticine. But aside from that I really can't see any pitfalls when using this on my normal/ slightly combination skin. The packaging has the standard adorable S&G look to it and for £8 it's definitely a treat anyone can enjoy.
I hope that was helpful. I got a huge pile of Soap and Glory stuff for Christmas so if there are any others I find really impressive I shall make sure to share them.
Thanks for reading!
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