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 

I've always been dark with light somewhere in the distance

So we are already half way into January and what a quiet month it is! I recently heard on the radio this week that January is the time where people can tend to get all down and depressed and to be honest this doesn't surprise me. The dark nights are still coming early its cold and yuck outside and for some pay day feels so far away (just think 2 more weeks to go). 

The January blues is not something I enjoy and I am determined to be full of positivity banishing any negativity. I have had far too much negativity and worries in my life that its time to tell it to shove off and I'm moving on and bringing on the positivity, happiness and just enjoy life!!

In order to do all that I'm still keeping focused on small goals I set for myself. I write lists and tick it off as I go along, there's honestly nothing better than a checked off list :D (geek I know). I am reading my Highway Code and revising for my theory. I am also enjoying a good book. Organising to meet friends which is keeping me away from being a complete hermit, I am determined to keep the little social life I have. I am such a day dreamer I am looking for places to go on holibobs, I know it wont be till next year but there's no harm in looking plus the photos make me feel happy thinking of some heat and sunshine. I have been getting stuck into this blog reorgainisng it a little, coming up with ideas for future posts and taking lots of snaps. Gordee and I have been going for walks at weekend which I always enjoy as I feel the cobwebs blowing away and feeling all fresh and re-energized! 

My top tip to keeping those blues has to be keep yourself busy but have fun doing it, have a laugh with friends even if your skint you can always go to each others houses, go out there and get some fresh air by going for a walk, escape somewhere into a good book, clear out your wardrobe giving things to the charity shops (making room for the summer wardrobe;) ) have bubble baths and listen to some awesome music maybe even try and get to a gig.

I was surfing through weheartit and came across some images which have inspired me.

Don't let people get you down by their negativity be happy, do what you dream of doing. We only have 1 life we need to live it!

Hope this post has cheered some of you guys up and inspired you to kick away that January blues too :) However I just want to say if you do feel that you are suffering from Depression you should speak to someone its amazing the amount of help that's out there these days.

Smile!!

Lots of huge fluffy hugs and lovies
SparklySJ
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images used 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

The Christmas Tag

 

Now that we are well and truly through the festive month of December I'm going to do The Christmas Tag, the lovely Freya over at Beauty and the Button done this and tagged me in it, you can check out her blog here. Now that I'm all in the festive spirit I figured why not do it now! So here we go, I answer 10 questions all about Christmas then to finish I'm going to tag a few bloggers I think might enjoy doing this.

1. What's your favourite Christmas song?
Oooo now I do enjoy a good Christmas song but one of my top festive tunes has to be The Pogues song Fairytale of New York featuring Kirsty MacColl. Whenever I first hear this song when its slow to start then all the instruments get going I'm like Yes!!! Christmas is coming!!

2. What's your favourite festive drink?
This has to be hot chocolate. I don't drink it much throughout the year, however when it starts getting cold I make sure that the cupboards are stocked up nicely with lots of hot chocolate sachets.

3. Any favourite Christmas films?
I have 3! First is The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton, this is one of my favourite films that I watch quite a lot more in December. Home Alone would be my second, you cant not watch this film at Christmas time its one of the best Christmas films. My third favourite is The Grinch! I love Dr Seuss and I think this version is so good Jim Carrey does such a good Grinch.

4. What's at the top of your Christmas wishlist?
I am going to be honest here I haven't actually made a list of things I would like and I'm not overly fussed either. I have given Gordee a few hints of some nice skincare or fragrance sets I would like but Christmas for me is about spending it with my family eating all that lovely food having a few drinks and having a laugh. This year is the first year Gordee and I will be spending Christmas together, so I'm excited that I get to spend it with him and my family up here in Scotland.

5. Favourite festive make-up or nail look?
This has to be dark lips, I love the barely any eye make up with a bold dark lip look. I do have a nail look which I am waiting to try a little closer to Christmas so I will be featuring that up on the blog.

6. Favourite outfit at Christmas? (LBD, Christmas Jumper, Pjs)
I live in my winter cosy pjs throughout December, unless I have to leave the flat then I layer up. I do have a Christmas jumper but I'm not wearing that yet till the last few days of work ;).

7. Play out in the snow or enjoy from the inside?
Defiantly enjoy from the comfort of my own home. I live in an area where when it snows it can really snow! I love looking outside and seeing a blanket of white, I do not enjoy walking in it cause I would hate it if I slip fall and look like an idiot!

8. Wrapping presents - love it or loathe it?
Ah! I loathe wrapping presents its so time consuming and I make such a dogs mess with it. I apologise to any of my friends reading this but yes your presents wont look the best haha.

9. Favourite Christmas food?
Mince pies! I love mince pies! I only have them coming up to Christmas times. Heat them up a few seconds in the microwave with a smidgen of cream, yummy.

10. What's your favourite thing about Christmas?
Spending it with the ones I love and having a lovely time together.

And there we have it.

Next up a few Bloggers I nominate to do the Tag
Bethany
Katrina
Steph

Enjoy guys!!

Lots of 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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