Bye January! Hello February!

Waaaaahoooo!

 That's us out of January guys!! I actually feel that its gone pretty quick. Pay day has been and gone, the bills have been paid now we are skint again counting down the days till next pay day haha. 

I didn't do much in January really it was all about saving those pennies although I did get myself a few treats throughout the month, all in the name of blogging of course! If you follow me on Instagram you will see what I been treating myself to lately (click here --> SparklySJ). One thing I did get to do at the end of the month was go to Glasgow and see the band City and Colour! Hands down one of the best live bands I have ever seen. The frontman Dallas Green's (from Alexisonfire) voice is just amazing. I did have a wee visit to first aid about an hour in to their set due to being too hot and almost passing out. My own fault really as I hadn't taken off my jacket but a little sit down and some water I was fine and went back to watch them. Even caught my favourite song Two Coins (check it out on youtube here). Being back in Glasgow to see a live band got me all excited for next time, which is gonna be Katy Perry!! I am super excited to see her its only 105 days to go.

 I also got my hair done Yay!! I hadn't had my hair done since October last year so it was badly needing done. I went for a little bit of a change and went ombre! They lightened up my hair and removed the almost black I had in from last time then they lightened my ends and slapped on a warm brown tone on top. I love it! I think I might even go a little lighter in the summer months. Talking hair and beauty I recently purchased Lauren Conrad's book Beauty, what an awesome book! Full of handy tricks and tips its really inspired me to try out different make up looks. If i have any success with them you never know I might do a few tutorials!

So now that's us into February, I have a few blogging ideas for this month lots of skincare and make up!! I'm even thinking on doing a regular blog post every Tuesday with just little fun random facts?! Like what I been loving or hating that past week. Its also Valentines Day this month Gordee and I never got to spend it together last year due to him being up a mountain (work purposes) so I think we might go for a nice meal this year. I always find February to be a rather quick month probably cause its my birthday in March and I get excited for it. Whatever this month brings either it be good or bad I intend to always having a smile on my face and I hope you guys do to!

Is there anything you lot love about February? Any Valentines plans? love to read your comments :) till next time.

Lots of Lovies

SparklySJ

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any images here that aren't my own are from weheartit.com 

2014!

Hi Guys and a Happy New Year to you all, hope you had a fab Hogmanay and wishing you lot the best of times in 2014!

 

 Now that we are in January this is the time people start to think on new years resolutions and give it the whole new year new me thing, this never works for me. So instead of resolutions that I will never keep I'm going to set myself some goals and aims. I have written them down in my new notebook I got at Christmas from Gordee (Yay new stationary) so I can score them off along the way.

I thought I would share with you beautiful lot some of my goals for the year.
My first is this blog, I been thinking long and hard about what I want to achieve this year from the blog and have decided that as well as beauty/skin care items I'm going to try make up, show you guys what I use and how I use it. Any looks that I'm loving and how I achieve them. I'm also going to try and branch out a little and share a few fashion items and how I style them. Along with this I'm going to do posts about life in general and maybe a few random things I get up to (few weekend away trips are coming up too). With my list of goals I'm going to try and share it all with you on how I'm getting on with them.
Secondly is going to be reading! I do love to read however I always seem to get so distracted by new tv series's out on netflix or other rubbish that books tend to get forgotten about. However when I do pick up a book I love the feeling of being transported into different worlds and just getting lost into a right good book! One set I am determined to read is the Harry Potter books, I remember reading up to the third one when I was in school but never got round to reading the rest. I love the films especially with how dark they get by the end so I imagine the books must be better. I have bought myself a new book to read first which is also part of a set, the first one is called Rivers of London and its by Ben Aaronovitch it sounds really good, once I finish this post I'm getting myself a cuppa green tea and get reading.

    I also want to learn to cook properly, I do enjoying cooking proper home cooked meals but the thought of doing it makes me just go urgh! but once I'm stuck into it I really enjoy it. Gordee and I have both decided we want to eat a lot healthier and plan on sticking to that throughout the week as we both work weekdays but we will allow our self's treats at the weekends. We got a few cook books at Christmas so I intend on using them to help us out along the way. I might also put a few blog posts up if any are successful.With this in mind I also want to start taking multivitamins, I feel I'm lacking iron too so will start taking supplements for that. I will continue to drink plenty water (its nice with a slice of lemon or lime) and also still drink copious amounts of green tea (all those antioxidants) which is also nice with a slice of lemon.
  
When I was in my late teens I done art at my college, I only done it cause I couldn't get a job (being a high school drop out no one would employ me) and I needed something to do. One the subjects I enjoyed the most was photography. We were taught mostly the old school stuff in the dark room using lots of chemicals but we did learn a little on digital photography and this year I want to get back in to it. I'm currently saving up to get myself a proper camera and equipment along with the good programs for editing. This will also be good for taking photos for blog posts but mainly I want to just to enjoy capturing moments you want to never forget.
 

With these and a few others on my list (which I will share throughout the year) I just want to be happy. Gordee and I have a few adventures planned out which I'm very much looking forward too, we have family visits down to England, Gigs (did I mention Katy Perry), I'm turning 25 this year too!! I cant wait to see what to see what this year brings, I hope its a good one. And I look forward to sharing it all with you!

What do you have to look forward too this year? Do you have any goals set or resolutions for this year? I would love to read them.

Lots of Lovies
SparklySJ
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Images used are from weheartit.com

Christmas is Coming!

Hello Lovelies

Hope your Monday wasn't too much of a struggle from the weekend. Just think that's it over and done with and only 4 more days to go and its the weekend again. Or even better we are getting closer to Christmas. On that note I seen a few blog posts from other bloggers showing their Christmas decorations so I thought I would share with you guys some snaps of the flat all decorated for Christmas Times!!

 

Cute little gingerbread man on the Christmas tree

 

Sparkly cupcake my mum bought me for the tree

 

A little robin

 

A nutcracker

 

Little Christmas soft toy family under the tree

 

 

I love having a fire place its the main focus in the living room so when it comes to Christmas I cant wait to decorate it!!

 

I am a huge fan of candles, they just add a touch of cosiness.

 

This Christmas candle is from Asda and it smells amazing, the living room smells just heavenly!

 

Once the flat is all decorated it defiantly puts me in the Christmas mood, which means its now a great excuse for me to light the candles watch some Christmas movies and drink lots of hot chocolate all cosy in my soft cosy pjs.

 

Also to get in the Christmas spirit over on Instagram JustSteph has created her own Instagram Bloggers Christmas Challenge and I thought I would participate in it. The aim of the challenge is you take a photo a day in the month of December but it has to have something to do with that days theme. Head over to Instagram and have a looky you can search #bxic to see what other bloggers have posted up. Also have a look at mine search for me SparklySJ.

 

 

 

Hope everyone's getting into the Christmas spirit if not I hope some of my photos have helped :)

 

Lovies

SparklySJ

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The Sunshine Award

Hiiiii Guys

 

I am so sorry I haven't been blogging much since last week, I actually have no idea where the week had gone. I am back though and I have a notebook bursting with ideas for future blog posts. To start back in to the swing of things I have this lovely post :)

 

So the beautiful Bethany over at http://missbethanyx.blogspot.co.uk/ nominated me last week for The Sunshine Award. This is where other bloggers nominate 11 bloggers that they find creative inspiring and positive blogs. So to start I just want to say a massive Thank You to Bethany :)

The rules are: 

Post 11 random facts about yourself

Answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you

Nominate 11 beautiful bloggers

Write 11 questions for them

Inform the 11 bloggers you nominate them!

 

So here goes

 

11 Random Facts about Me!

1. I am rather petite

2. I have 3 stepsisters and 1 half brother

3. I am terrified of clowns

4. My favourite colour is a pale mint green

5. I have a rather geeky love for Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and Harry Potter

6. I have a collection of momiji

7. I love pandas

8. I have some bizarre allergies from shellfish, chlorine along with some nuts.

9. I adore Studio Ghibli films (have a soft spot for anything Japanese really)

10. I drink a lot of green tea

11. My dream holiday is Bora Bora

 

My 11 Questions from Bethany

 

1. Who is your favourite blogger?

Has to be the beautiful Meg over at http://wonderful--you.blogspot.co.uk/ . I discovered this stunner last year, I just think she is just lush. She has gorgeous style and I love that she is 100% honest and herself. Check her out!

 

2. Favourite nail varnish colour?

Is a lovely dark plum colour I have from Nails Inc called Piccadilly Circus

 

3. Favourite TV Show?

Gossip Girl!! Just everything about this tv show is fab! from the clothes, the hair, the crazy drama and of course the lush Chuck Bass. I'm gutted its finished, but I do watch the box sets every year.

 

4. Could Meet anyone in the world who?

Has to be Surprise Surprise Katy Perry!!!!!!! I just love her, she is stunning. I love all her albums and she seems like such a fun and lovely person. We would go shopping and have cups of tea and chats.

 

5. Favourite Song right now?

Okay I only just discovered this song while browsing this artist's page on iTunes. It's Lana Del Rey's song Young & Beautiful from The Great Gatsby Soundtrack. I do love this woman's voice and this song is just beautiful.

 

6. Most expensive beauty product?

This has to be the Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer, I got this at the Duty Free (not sure what the price was as I purchased a few bits). However when I went on the actual site and it was £68.90!!! Now I don't normally spend much on skincare and I have to say I stretched these out to last at least 4 months. And it was well worth the money. God bless credit cards that's all I have to say haha.

 

7. How do you normally do your hair?

Normally I have it down just doing its own thing. When I hit day 3 I spray a bit of dry shampoo and pin it up in a bun.

 

8. How long do you spend on your blog each week?

At the moment I'm trying to spend at least 3-4 hours a day on my blog. However I am also trying to do my driving theory stuff so I decided to split it up, one day I do my blog then the next I do revision on my theory but blogs sometimes do distract me haha.

 

9. Early bird or Night owl?

I would like to say I'm more an early bird, I just don't like wasting my day in bed. Especially now that it gets dark so early now.

 

10. Any Pets?

Winston our black 6 month old male cat. I would say this but he is just the cutest cat ever!!! And he is so loveable, he loves meeting new people :)

 

11. Favourite hot drink?

I drink lots and lots of herbal tea, mainly green tea! At the moment I'm loving Green Tea with Pomegranate.

 

My Questions:

1. Favourite skincare product?

2. Favourite brand of nail polish?

3. Favourite high street product?

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where?

5. What's your favourite season?

6. What is your favourite film?

7. What look are you really into right now?

8. Is there anything in particular your looking forward too in 2014?

9. What product are you desperate to try out but haven't yet?

10. Favourite drink? (alcoholic, non-alcoholic, hot or cold)

11. What tv show or book (even both if you want) are you loving right now?

 

The Bloggers I nominate are:

1. Yasmin http://yasbeyou.blogspot.co.uk/

2. Freya http://beautyandthebutton.blogspot.co.uk/

3. Belle http://bellesplash.blogspot.co.uk/

4. Sophie http://sophiesbooksandbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

5. Abbie http://daintylittledreams.blogspot.co.uk/

6. Dulcie https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/8145379/dulcies-beauty-blog

7. Carly https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11309169/the-fashionloulou

8. Dayna http://adaynasaur.blogspot.co.uk/

9. Hayley http://haysparkle.blogspot.co.uk/

10. Becky http://lipgloss-and-lashes.blogspot.co.uk/

11. Emma http://lifebyemmy.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Sorry about having to post all the long links up, I haven't figured out how to shorten them lol

 

I shall return in next few days with more posts

 

Lovies

SparklySJ

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The IN Thing

This November its all about staying IN! So last night I took part in Cancer Research The IN Thing. My friend Rachel decided to sign up and throw her own Girls Night In all in aid for Cancer Research. Basically a bunch of us girls got together in our onesie's ate Chinese food, watched Chalet Girl (yummy Ed Westwick) and played a few games of UNO.  And you put in a donation of what you would spend on a night out ie on drinks and taxis and the money goes towards Cancer Research. Rachel also had up posters on facts and information about Cancer Research and how we can help beat cancer, along with some fun pink balloons which little Winston took a shining too. We all had such a fun time and a good giggle, it was nice doing something fun for such a good cause.

If your interested in throwing your own girls night in all in aid for a good cause click the link and register, I thoroughly recommend it http://support.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/do-your-own-fundraising/the-in-thing

Image from The IN Thing site

Here are a few photos from the night to share with you guys.

Yummy Chinese food watching the ever so yummy Ed Westwick

 

Emma and Mel

 

Midge and Lyndsey

 

Our beautiful Hostess Rachel

 

myself in my Totoro onesie

 

Winston was loving the attention from the ladies

 

 

cheeky selfie

 

Just in case you guys weren't sure what my oneise was its Totoro from The Studio Ghibli film My Neighbour Totoro, one my favourite films.

I'm gonna say it again we had such a good time and all for a good cause you guys should totally join in and together we can beat cancer!

Also to top off the end of my week I am super super super excited that my boyfriend got us 2 tickets to see the ever so amazaziiiing KATY PERRY!!! Next year in Glasgow. I have loved Katy Perry for a while now but recently my love for her has become borderline obsessive (I'm not afraid to admit it) so when he managed to get these with 02 Priorities (cue singing Don Broco "Priorities") I was beyond ecstatic dancing and singing around the flat haha Only 175 days to go! Woooo!!

 

Hope you guys have an amazing weekend, let me know if any of you guys got tickets to see the beautiful Katy Perry or if you have seen her before. Also let me know if you have had your own girls night in :)

Lots of Lovies
SparklySJ
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