Sunday 2 March 2014

Sunday Sessions

I have been a little MIA this week, life just seems to have suddenly gone into the fast lane and things seem to have just got in the way a bit.

I am going to review my Ins and Outs from last week and then set myself some more for this coming week, hopefully it will focus my mind a little bit better!

Ins:
Exercising in the evenings & drinking more water throughout the day
I didn't manage the exercising in the evenings, this week at work was a tough one so I came home and turned into a potato on my sofa and engrossed myself in terrible TV. I think I did better on the water front though!

Office night out on Friday - last time this ended with me falling over a curb and cutting my leg open, lets hope this one isn't as embarrassing or painful!
Tequila, tequila and more tequila - need I say much more? A wild night out with the work gang at the bowling alley, however this experience has taught me to not drink tequila again in the future.

Pay day this week - I must (emphasise on the must) be better with my money this month, car insurance is due next month *cries*
Well, the copious amounts of tequila definitely did not help my bank balance whatsoever, but I will be better next week (emphasis on the will!)

Outs:
Late nights - I need at least 9 hours sleep each night to function properly, I therefore pledge to go to sleep at 10pm every night.
I've definitely got better at this and hopefully my late nights are long gone!

Bad skin - this weather is playing havoc with my skin, need to make sure I give it some extra loving this week and get it back on track!
This week I tried to give my skin some TLC and it seems to be helping, still not 100% but we are getting there, hooray!

This awful weather maybe?! Or is that too optimistic?
Definitely was being too optimistic with this one!!

Drum roll please.....my Ins and Outs for next week are:

Ins:
The Carrie Diaries - I spent all weekend watching this and am totally in love with it, praying they do a season 3. HELLOO Austin Butler *swoon*

Positivity - life can get in the way of things some times and it's hard to remain positive and see the good in everything or everyone. I want to learn that although a situation may seem negative on face value, there is always something to learn and grow from

Health kick - after my tequila filled night on Friday I feel like I should be bathing in fruit all week to try and undo some of the damage I have done to both my healthy eating plan and my liver!

Blogging - as already mentioned, life got a bit in the way this week so I definitely want to continue creating content to put on my blog and continue to enjoy it too!

Outs:
Putting myself under pressure - Sometimes I just need to take a step back and think about what I have achieved instead of putting myself under so much pressure all the time.

Being lazy with the house work - When I get in from work at 6.30pm having to do the washing up and any general house chores really are the last thing on my mind but having a clean house may mean having a clean mind so I would like to try it this week!


What about you? What would you like to either bring in or put out next week?

Emily xx

Tuesday 25 February 2014

The Body Shop // Chocomania Collection



I must admit, The Body Shop isn't usually a place I would think to shop in, usually I go in for a browse if I'm stuck with what to buy someone a gift or if they have a sale on but nine out of ten times I leave the shop with nothing, so when I was given a gift set for Christmas by a friend I was a little dubious.

I was given the Chocomania collection giftset that included:
- Shower cream (250ml)
- Soap (100g bar)
- Body Butter (48g)
- Body Scrub (55g)
- Mini Loofah

The presentation of the gift box (which sadly I have now destroyed, sigh *slaps wrists*) was beautiful - it came in a brown box tied with a matching ribbon and all the products displayed wonderfully inside.

The shower cream and soap were the first items I used from the set, both of which smelt absolutely incredible. It's like chocolate but somehow better? Is that even possible? Somehow The Body Shop have managed to do it! Aside from the smell, the shower cream is soap free so is perfect for even sensitive skin. The soap bar contains coconut shell which also exfoliates as you use it and left me feeling clean, soft and smelling great.

The body butter and scrub smell equally amazing. The scrub dissolves easily and becomes really creamy as you use it and you get amazing results with this, it would be a fab one to use if you are using fake tan. The body butter left my skin feeling soft and smooth, but did take a while to sink in so if you are in a rush and don't have time to fan yourself for ten minutes until it dries then this one definitely isn't for you. Despite this, I would still say it is a new addition to my favourite body butters. I would love to try out the body lotion from this range as I think it would absorb into the skin quicker so would be better for day-to-day usage (not sure about you but I don't fancy having to wake up 10 minutes earlier on a weekday to slap body butter on?!)

Overall I absolutely love this collection, it has left me happy and truly satisfied - without even eating any chocolate! Since trying these products I have been back to the Body Shop and purchased their face mist for setting my make up, which I will do a full review on once I have finished trying it out.

Have you tried any Body Shop products? What would you recommend I try next?

Emily xx

Sunday 23 February 2014

Sunday Sessions

With a full-time job working 45 hours a week when I finally get home in the evening I transform into a couch potato and slob in front of the TV for hours on end watching quality programmes such as Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Take Me Out.

As I am a dedicated list-maker I have decided to spend Sunday's posts summarising the things I want to bring 'in' and the things I want to put 'out' for the following week to help me focus my mind a little better.

Ins:
Exercising in the evenings & drinking more water throughout the day.
Office night out on Friday - last time this ended with me falling over a curb and cutting my leg open, lets hope this one isn't as embarrassing or painful!
Pay day this week - I must (emphasise on the must) be better with my money this month, car insurance is due next month *cries*

Outs:
Late nights - I need at least 9 hours sleep each night to function properly, I therefore pledge to go to sleep at 10pm every night.
Bad skin - this weather is playing havoc with my skin, need to make sure I give it some extra loving this week and get it back on track!
This awful weather maybe?! Or is that too optimistic?

What about you? What would you like to either bring in or put out next week?

Emily xx

Wednesday 19 February 2014

The Liebster Award

So happy I could squeal; I was nominated for the Liebster Award by the lovely Leah (http://leahloves1.blogspot.co.uk). I can't believe people actually read my blog posts so it is so so SO lovely to get this.

The Liebster Award is one which is given to those with less than 200 followers, after receiving it, you then list 11 facts about yourself, answer 11 questions, pick 11 nominees and set them 11 questions to answer (shall I say 11 once more?!). All in all, a great way of spreading some love.

Rules:
You must link back to the person who nominated you.
You have state 11 facts about yourself
You have to answer the questions given to you.
You have to pick 11 nominees and create a set of 11 questions that they must answer.
You can't nominate the person that nominated you.
You have to tell the nominees that they have been nominated by you.

11 Facts about me:
1.I am left handed.
2.I love watching documentaries and also researching conspiracy theories.
3.I am absolutely terrified of watching horror films. The last horror film I watched resulted in me locking myself in my bathroom to go to sleep until my boyfriend came home. Me + horror films do not mix (needless to say I haven't watched one since this incident).
4.Green is my favourite colour.
5.Fish and seafood really creeps me out, I struggle to watch people even eat it.
6.My brother broke my collar bone when I was 3 whilst playing a game of hide and seek, don't ask...
7.I am so clumsy and seem to fall over all the time (car garages, supermarkets, carparks - you name it and I've probably fallen over there!)
8.My favourite number is two.
9.When I really like I song I play it on repeat and have it as my alarm until I am sick of it and never want to hear it again.
10.I have never been out of Europe.
11.I am addicted to list making.

Here are my questions to answer, set by the lovely Leah:
1. What inspired your Blog name?
My middle name is Isobel and my first name is Emily, so I switched them around to get Bellemi...simples!

2. What is your favorite childhood memory?
My family and I use to rent a house in France in the summer from this crazy french lady who had a three legged dog; my gran came too one year and baked me a ladybug birthday cake (they were my fav when I was four) but singed her eyebrows and eyelashes off whilst baking it.

3. Who is your ultimate style icon?
I'm not into high-end fashion, so things have to be wearable day-to-day in order for me to actually like them. I think Lauren Conrad, she always keeps things classy.

4. Who is your favorite blogger?
Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter.

5. If you could only have 2 beauty items, what would they be?
Foundation and mascara

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
"Never regret anything because at some point, you wanted it or thought it was the right thing to do." I think most quotes are pretty cheesy, as this this one really but if I ever doubt a decision I've made I always say this to myself and try and move on.

7. Sweet or Savoury?
Sweet, definitely. Last year when I went to Disneyland Paris I spent 30 euros on pick and mix - need I say anything more?!

8.What qualities do you look for in a friend?
Kindness and a good sense of humour - I am easily pleased.

9.Tea or Coffee?
Coffee, lots of milk and two sweeteners, please

10. Where would you like to see yourself in 5years time?
I'm not sure, I feel like I might jinx myself if I say where I want to be (bonus fact: I'm very superstitious). I hope wherever I am and whatever I am doing in 5 years I am happy and healthy.

11.Favorite Quote?
I sort of answered this above...oops!

My Nominations:
Carlie @ http://pugginawesome.blogspot.co.uk
Libby @ http://libsteller.blogspot.co.uk
Shannon @ http://shannonmarina.blogspot.co.uk
Charlotte @ http://charlottehavs.blogspot.co.uk
Isabel @ http://iisforiz.blogspot.co.uk
Lisa @ http://lisaandfox.blogspot.co.uk
Emily @ http://beautybunnyy.blogspot.co.uk
Megan @ http://meganruthxo.blogspot.co.uk
Iram @ http://lovestruckforlouboutins.com
Christina @ http://acasualbeauty.wordpress.com
Cliona @ http://clionahill.com

My questions are as follows:
1. What is your dream job?
2. What is your favourite film?
3. Who is your biggest inspiration?
4. Worst purchase you've ever made?
5. Funniest memory?
6. Who was your first celebrity crush?
7. What is your favourite food?
8. Favourite item of clothing you own?
9. What was the last thing you brought?
10. Number one beauty product?
11. Where do you see yourself this time next year?

Thank you again Leah and I look forward to seeing all your answers

Emily xx

Monday 17 February 2014

Review // Avon // Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil

I confess, I am quite lazy when it comes to my hair. I have extremely thick and fairly long hair, so by the time I have completed the mammoth task of shampooing and conditioning it all I am ready for bed! Because of this, a quick and easy hair-care routine with as little steps as possible is an essential for me.

I was recommended this product by a work colleague, after assuring me that it was a brilliant product and I wouldn't regret buying it I reluctantly decided to order a bottle. With doubts still in my mind, when the product arrived I applied it to damp hair and went to bed (yes, with wet hair - I told you I'm lazy when it comes to my hair!) The next morning my hair was so sleek and soft I couldn't believe it. Whether through straighteners or curling tongs, I apply heat to my hair every day so my hair can be quite frizzy, but this product gets rid of all the frizz and almost eradicates the need for me to straighten my hair in the mornings.



Due to the thickness of my hair I use three or four pumps, but for thinner or shorter hair you would probably only need two; I apply the product to the ends of my hair and leave it overnight. You can also apply it to dry hair to give it some extra shine, I do also do this but usually for a special occasions. Although an oil, this product has never left my hair feeling greasy.

I have used other hair oils, such as the L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil and Moroccan Oil but don't think either of those compare to this Avon product. This oil retails for £5.50 for a 30ml bottle which is a fraction of the price of the other two hair oils I have used in the past; Avon regularly has offers on this product as well (currently on sale for £3.85). I have now been using this particular oil for nearly a year and can safely say it will take a miracle for this to be removed from my hair care routine.