BACK TO SCHOOL | BAGS ON A BUDGET + BAG ESSENTIALS

Hello everyone! So now that summer is coming to an end, that means one thing for a lot of people... it's time to go back to school/college/university. With that in mind i thought i would share some tips and advice for when it comes to going back to school. Kicking things off with sharing a selection of bags perfect to stay stylish, yet practical and also on a budget before talking all things bag essentials and what you are going to need to pack/carry with you for any of those beauty emergencies...

Picking the right back for the new school/college year isn't always so simple, as you have to take so many different things in to consideration when it comes down to it. You need it to be practical, easy to carry, spacious enough to fit what items you need to take with you daily yet you want to stay looking stylish also. I always find that there are a select few styles of bags that tick all of these boxes and those are backpacks, tote bags and shopper bags. This year there is a ton of new-in bags, both online and in-store, under £40 and some under £20.

1. topshop sydney zip shopper bag | £26 | 2. accessorize holly lilac backpack | £32 |

3. justfab blush chadwick bag | £10.74 | 4. romwe polka dot print canvas tote bag | £7.50 |

5. h&m reversible shopper bag | £14.99 | 6. primark mustard shopper tote bag | £8 |

7. romwe double zipper flap pu backpack | £10.50 |
8. asos design black backpack with rose gold zip | £25 |

9. next zodiac shopper bag | £4 | 10. h&m black backpack | £19.99 |

11. primark black oversized shopper bag | £10 | 12. topshop hobo bag | £29 |

13. mango pebbled tote bag | £19.99 | 14. zara everyday backpack | £19.99 |

15. zara reversible studded tote bag | £2.99 | 16. hype pink embroidered backpack | £25 |

17. boohoo studded rucksack | £20 |

Once you have selected the perfect back to school bag, you are going to need to fill it with all the essentials that you might need.  (including some items you might need in an emergency)...

1. makeup/wash bag

Kicking things off with the main event and that is all about selecting the perfect makeup bag or wash bag, that is going to not only fit everything you might need to carry but also fit inside of your bag perfectly without taking up too much room. Personally i will always recommend a transparent bag, as you can find the items inside quickly and they are easy to clean if you get a spillage. 

2. deodorant, tampons + mints

When it comes to bag essentials, everyone should always carry products that are going to help on the hygiene front. Personally i prefer to use roll-on deodorant as they are not only long-wearing but also a lot more compact and better value for money rather than picking up the mini-sized spray deodorants. Tampons are another must as you just never know when that situation is going to occur for either yourself or a friend, it is always better to be prepared and a lot of tampons are super compact so they don't take up very much room. Finally on the hygiene side of things, i always like to carry mints or chewing gum and at the moment the tic tac mint rush mints are a personal favourite of mine.

3. hand cleansing gel + mini dry shampoo

Mixing a little hygiene and beauty together but two other essentials that are always in my everyday essentials bag, are hand sanitizer and dry shampoo. Merci Handy is a favourite brand of mine, especially when it comes to hand gel to help you kill any germs on your hands. The brand now stock dry shampoo in a 100ml sized can, which is a perfect size for carrying with you. Dry shampoo is definitely a must carry item, especially if you are going to be playing sports/getting sweaty.

| shop the mercy handy cleansing gel: here | shop the dry shampoo: here | 

4. concealer + mini sponges

The first step for makeup touch-ups is definitely concealer, which you can simply pack your go-to concealer or buy a duplicate. That being said the revolution conceal and define concealer is the perfect travel/essential makeup bag sized concealer, as it is smaller in size to your regular concealer want. Not only is this concealer compact it is also one of my personal favourites from the drugstore at the moment, it only retails for £4 and has high-end quality. Of course if you are going to be touching up using concealer, you are going to want something to blend it out with and the perfect compact tool for that is a mini beauty sponge. Revolution also have your back when it comes to blending, with this amazing value for money mini pro sponge set for just £3.

5. choose a pressed powder with a compact mirror included

By selecting a face powder which has a mirror included in the packaging, is such a space saver as sometimes powders and mirrors can take up some room. Powder is definitely in the top three must-pack essentials, to not only set any touch-ups you have made but to also prevent/fix any shine that might occur through-out a long day.

6. keep lip products to a minimum

It is so easy to go overboard with packing one too many lip products (trust me, i would know i am that girl with ten different products in her bag). Obviously you are going to be at school and more than likely opting for a "no makeup, makeup" look for the day. A personal favourite of mine would to just pack a lip liner, as you can keep the lip looking natural yet you are adding some shape and definition. I also mentioned this in a recent motivation monday post, where i shared my go-to gym/workout makeup.

Happy Weekend!

xo.

TRAVEL | TWENTY-FIVE MUST DO THINGS IN ROME, ITALY

Hello everyone! Seeing as we are fast approaching the summer holidays, where we all tend to take a trip at some stage before the season is over and even if it is just getting away for a few days, it is still nice to just head off somewhere. With that in mind i thought i would share with you twenty-five must do things if you visit one of my favourite places i have ever been, which is Rome. If you are yet to visit Rome and it isn't on your must-go to list of places, then i highly recommend that you do... 

1. visit inside and outside the Colosseum

2. visit the Pantheon (it is simply beautiful)

3. visit Vatican City

4. toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain

5. visit and climb the Spanish Steps

6. try as many different Gelato's as you can (chocolate hazelnut is a must)

7. pizza for lunch, pasta for dinner is a must

8. order a cappuccino at a café (but not after 11am, any time after that is considered a no no to the Italians, after that time order an espresso)

9. visit the shops on the Piazza di Spagna (at the bottom of the Spanish steps)

10. visit the Piazza Novona (popular restaurant/café spot)

11. take in the sights at St.Peter's Square

12. visit St.Peter's Basilica

13. whilst in Vatican City, visit the Vatican Museums

14. visit the Roman Forum (located near the Colosseum)

15. visit/tour the Sistine Chapel

16. visit Villa Borghese (large beautiful park away from the city bustle)

17. climb Paletine Hill for the beautiful view

18. climb the Janiculum hill (steep but worth it for the view alone)

19. take the Pope's secret escape route at Il Passetto di Borgo

20. wander the ancient Thermal Baths at Le Terme di Caracalla

21. visit inside Santo Stefano Rotondo (the first circular church in Rome)

22. take in the sights of the Arch of Constantine (next to the Colosseum)

23. when in Europe (out of the UK anyway) always visit a Sephora

24. never skip dessert, when in Rome isn't just a saying

25. take as many pictures of the beautiful architecture as you can

Fancy something else to read? Catch up on a suggested post HERE...

xo.

HOW-TO | UPDATE YOUR WARDROBE ON A BUDGET FOR SUMMER

Hello everyone! If your wardrobe needs some serious TLC and updating for this upcoming summer, but you don't really want to be spending a ton of money. There are so many great tips and tricks that i have learnt to not only save money when buying clothes, but also different ways to work with some things you already might have sitting in your wardrobe. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite tips, on how to save money on a wardrobe update...

1. have a wardrobe de-clutter

First things first before you make a start on shopping to update your wardrobe, have a de-clutter/a look through what you have already got in your wardrobe. Keep pieces you think you could still wear during the summer, such as basics jeans/t-shirts etc and either store away for the next season or sell items online for a little extra cash.

2. write a note/list on what you actually need

By writing a list of what you actually need, you are more likely to stick to it and not go off course buying things you don't necessarily need and just wasting your money in the long run. 

3. when shopping online, search for discount codes

If you are choosing to pick items up from online stores such as ASOS, Missguided, Boohoo or PLT, always save your favourite items for later and shop when there is a discount available (which is on a regular basis). Other ways to get a hold of discount codes are by downloading discount apps, the store apps, signing up for email subscription and also by following the brands on social media sites. 

4. shop the sales section

Sticking to the online shopping theme, a great way of finding the bargains is to shop sites sale sections or view each section using the low-to-high pricing filter. Going in-store a lot of them also more often than not have a sale section, as well as so much money off selected items (such as 10%, 15% and as much as 30% off).

5. shop around for the most affordable "dupe"/style steal pieces

Really want a Chanel handbag? Who doesn't but we can't all always afford that or justify spending that much right now, then pick up a dupe or style steal version (Shein is a great site for designer handbag dupes). This works with pretty much any item of clothing or accessory, the high-street or affordable sites.

6. invest in items that can be worn with lots of different outfits

By picking up new key pieces to pair with some either new basics or basics you might already have in your wardrobe, rather than just buying things that only work well with one specific outfit. 

7. take a trip to Primark

Everybody loves a good trip to Primark right? I know i do, especially when you find some real gems. You can pick up some basics for as little as £2.50, they also currently have some great summer pieces costing between £4 and £12. Primark is also the perfect store to visit to pick up your holiday pieces, like swimwear for under £5 and their bargain trusty 90p beach flip flops. 

8. if you aren't 100% sure on something don't buy it or keep it

We have all been there when you buy something, then when it comes to trying it on you either don't feel like it suits you or it doesn't fit quite right but you keep it because you simply can't be bothered to send/take it back. This is such a waste of money as it is more than likely just going to sit there, un-worn with the tags still on in months or years to come. You could use that money to get something that does suit you and does fit you.

9. DIY what you already have

Looking for the perfect pair of ripped jeans or a mini/midi skirt rather than a maxi then DIY some pieces you already have in your wardrobe, that could just be sat there going un-worn. There are so many great videos/tutorials online and on Pinterest for clothing DIY.

10. make the same outfit look different

Of course we all wear the same outfits multiple times, because they tend to become favourites of ours and we feel nice in them. That being said you don't always want to look same old same old in something too quick, make an outfit look different by switching up your hairstyle, makeup (especially lipstick colour). You could also switch up the shoes and accessories you pair with a specific outfit, to either dress up or dress down the occasion. 

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

TIPS + TRICKS | HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON BUYING FOOD

Hello everyone! Does anyone else always feel as if the majority of their money ends up being spent on food? Well i was starting to feel this way too, when in fact there are so many great ways to actually save yourself money yet still eat the same as you would normally (well maybe with a couple of differences). Ever since trying out different ways to save money on food, i have learnt a bunch of tips and tricks on how to do so. With that in mind for today's instalment i thought i would do something a little different and share with you some of the tricks, that i have found have worked for me in the long run...

1. download the app or visit the mySupermarket site on your phone

By looking on the mySupermarket site you can search for your favourite items, to see what is what price where (or what is on offer similar from a different store or brand). You can even scan the bar code of an item and it will automatically search it for. 

2. write a shopping list

If you write a shopping list before you go shopping you are more likely to not forget anything you need or not pick up something you already have enough of, because you simply couldn't remember if you already had one in the cupboard or the fridge at home.

3. write your list according to a meal plan

By writing your shopping list to accommodate your meal plan is a great way on you not picking up those extra unnecessary purchases, this is also another great way to stay organised/be prepared for the week ahead.  

4. never go food shopping when hungry

Never ever go food shopping when you are hungry, if you are hungry your brain is going to make you want to pick up anything and everything. Doing this is such a waste of food because once you have eaten, you will have forgotten about everything else and you are more likely to waste food.

5. set yourself a budget

If you set yourself a food budget and stick to it, only allowing yourself to use that money for buying food with you are more likely not to over-spend. Another great tip for budgeting is to test different stores weekly, seeing which one ends up being the best value for money for what you are getting.

6. pick up certain items for less 

Rather than opting for picking up certain items whilst on your food shop, pick items up that you know are less expensive from places such as Home Bargains or Poundland. Some items can be almost £3 in the supermarket, but only retail for £1 and under at those places.

7. make your own version of a take-away/eating out meal

By buying the ingredients and making your favourite take-way or eating out meal at home, you are saving yourself so much money (even though eating out is nice once in a while but the cost can add up). The price of one course at a restaurant can be the same price if not more than it would cost you to make for between 6 and 8 people, which is crazy when you think about it!

 8. budget your breakfast

By budgeting on breakfast foods you can save yourself a fortune, opt for breakfasts that you can get a week or mores worth out of such as porridge oats or cereals. You can even pick up oats-so-simple boxes containing 8 sachets for 8 breakfasts for just £1, costing you just 12.5p per day which is a bargain.

9. stock up on your favourites when on offer

If there is a certain item that you buy every single week, such as toilet paper, washing detergents, etc (including the longer life alpro products) stock up on them when they are on a good special offer. Yes this is costing you a little more at that specific time but in the long run you are going to have saved a lot more, than if you hadn't done as the item will be full price again.

10. buy frozen fruit/vegetables

Buying frozen fruit and veggies is such a saving in more ways than one, not only are they less expensive but the product will last you a lot longer and is less likely to go off than it would if you had bought it fresh. Also by having a frozen version you can take out as much or as little as you need at a time, for example for the longest time i always used to pick up sweetcorn in a tin at around 80p a time and now i opt for a large bag which lasts for ages for just under £2, taking out as much as i need for whatever i am using it for.  

Check out the mySupermarket site for current offers HERE...

xo.

THE TIPS I SWEAR BY TO SAVE TIME IN THE MORNING | BEAUTY + LIFESTYLE

Hello everyone! So the majority of us as human beings (especially those of us who have to get up early in the morning) more often than none, struggle to get up and end up pressing snooze one too many times. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you another "tips i swear by" post, which if you didn't catch the first one it was all about self-love (post link). That being said this time i thought why not share my favourite tips to save time in the morning. By using these beauty and lifestyle hacks can save you so much time everyday/week, to either get more done in the day or if you simple want to hit that snooze button one more time...

1. prepare your breakfast the night before

The key step to saving time in the morning is by simply doing a lot of your prep the night before, including your breakfast. Breakfast is obviously one of the most important meals of the day, as it simply fuels you up and keeps your energy levels up to help you get things done. One of my personal favourites for this is overnight-oats. It is quick to make in the evening, nutritious/healthy, fills you up until lunch and most importantly tastes so good!

| my favourite overnight-oats recipe | 

mason jar with lid | 40 grams porridge oats | 80 millilitres unsweetened almond milk | 15 grams mixed dried fruit | 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon | yogurt (optional) i prefer it without |

2. pick out your outfit/s the night before or for the week

Another night before trick is to pick your outfit out ready including your shoes and accessories, making sure they are ironed/crease-free. By doing this it allows you to simply just put your clothes on and head out of the door, not be faffing around with the ironing board or not knowing what to wear. If you are feeling super organised, plan your outfits out for the week ahead on a Sunday evening (just make sure you check the weather forecast for the week ahead before and keep an umbrella or jacket always in your mind).

3. keep your beauty products down to the bare essentials

If you are just going about your day to day and aren't going to any special event, keep your makeup/beauty routine down to the bare essentials. This can cut at least 30-40 minutes off of your morning routine, especially if you have thoroughly cleansed/moisturised your face/body the night before. You can also use a product in a multi-purpose way, such as bronzer as an eyeshadow, a multi-purpose oil for face/body and hair or a lip tint as a blush.

 | my quick + easy everyday makeup for spring post is coming soon |

4. stay away from your phone

Always stay away from your phone whilst you are getting ready in the morning, i always leave mine on the other side of the room and have Spotify playing on my TV instead. By doing this you aren't tempted to keep picking your phone up and browsing through social media, emails and messages (also keep it on silent or do not disturb).

5. wash your hair/have a shower in the evening

Wash, dry/style your hair in the evenings this saves so much time, especially if you have long hair or it takes forever to dry. This can also allow you an extra 30+ minutes in the morning and you aren't left running around like an idiot because you are late, we have all been there right? If you were unable to wash your hair the night before, but it is in good need of a wash and you don't have the time then dry shampoo once again is going to be your BFF!

6. keep everything you need inside your bag

Finally, always keep everything you will need during the day or when you are out and about, inside your bag (with the exception of your phone of course). By doing this you aren't going to forget the things you need, especially money because there is no worse feeling than getting to the checkout in the shops and realising you have left your purse at home. I also like to keep duplicates of certain things in my bag never taking them out at the end of the day, such as headphones and duplicates of my favourite lip products. 

Catch up on my previous blog post HERE...
xo.

THE TIPS I SWEAR BY FOR SELF-LOVE | BEAUTY + LIFESTYLE

Hello everyone! It can be so easy at times to completely focus all of your time and energy on other people and other things, things that aren't you or necessarily for you. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would do something a little different, by different i mean i thought i would share with you some of the tips i swear by for self-love. Self-care/self-love is so important for any human being for so many reasons but mainly for your frame of mind, especially if you tend to be an over-thinker (which was totally me) until i discovered so many ways to not only switch off but also on how to be so much more relaxed and be a lot less anxious about anything and everything. I don't think anyone with anxiety will ever be fully cured and i honestly think everyone has it and deals with it differently but at the end of the day we can't let it beat us or define us as people...

1. take a break from the internet (mainly social-media)

2. go for a walk (this helps to not only get exercise but also clears your head)

3. listen to your favourite music/songs

4. have a netflix/movie/tv show day now and again

5. light/buy your favourite scent of candle (this helps to feel calm)

6. take a bath with a bath bomb or aromatherapy oils

7. get a diffuser with a relaxing oil scent

8. read a book of your favourite genre or re-read a favourite book

9. treat yourself to a few new things (either makeup, clothes or accessories)

10. cook or bake your favourite meal/food

11. set yourself a routine, allowing time everyday for yourself

12. dress for you and only you

13. don't let people dictate to you or walk all over you

14. get yourself or give yourself a mani/pedi

15. do a face mask

16. get at least 8 hours of sleep a night

17. drink plenty of fluids

18. but limit your intake of caffeine

19. invest in a calming scented body lotion (i use the lush sleepy lotion before bed)

20. tidy room/house = tidy mind

21. don't take things to heart or take things too serious when there is no need

22. wear as much or as little makeup as you like

23. eating healthy 6 out of 7 days a week (always allow yourself that one treat or day)

24. read/learn what other people find useful when it comes to self-love tips

25. always believe that you are good enough!

xo.

TIPS + TRICKS | HOW TO STAY STYLISH FOR LESS

Hello everyone! Staying "on-trend"/up to date on style could be seriously costly, but it honestly doesn't have to be that way at all and there are so many ways to stay stylish for less money. This doesn't just count for clothing, style is more than just clothes it is also accessories, lifestyle choices and beauty. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would share with you some of my tips and tricks on how to stay stylish on a budget...

1. swap designer labels for high-street pieces

You might think you are getting the best by spending the extra cash on a designer bag or clothing, yet you might be surprised what you can get on the high-street or online for a lot less. If you are a lover of designer handbags, then a way to get your hands on something super similar is by shopping on shein. This is where i picked up my "chanel boy bag" dupe from and the quality of the bags are really good for the price point. 

2. wait until there is a discount code or sale

When it comes to shopping online the best thing to usually do is wait it out, especially until there is a discount code or the item comes on sale. Clothing sites which have so many affordable versions of on trend pieces such as Boohoo, MissGuided and PrettyLittleThing have discount codes available weekly if not daily. This way you can pick up some items you have your eye one and save money by doing so.

3. save money on having your nails done by diy'ing them at home

Having a manicure/acrylics/gel nails every couple of weeks or once a month can quickly become costly at around £30 a time, save yourself money by giving yourself a manicure at home. Whether that be simply painting them, or adding your own acrylics which are simple to apply and can be picked up from as little as £1 from Primark (they are my favourites). Even if you like to get creative with nail art, watch tutorials or search Pinterest for easy step by step guides on how to re-create it on your own nails.

4. choose drugstore makeup over high-end makeup

When it comes to makeup i do love a good high-end product but there are definitely a lot of drugstore products that i love even more, especially when it comes to foundations. Wearing high-end makeup every single day can become costly, especially because you are going through things quicker so swap out your high-end foundation/concealer for everyday use and limit using high-end to weekends/special occasions. 

5. choose pieces that will go with multiple things

If you are going to invest in something, make sure before buying it is something that is going to go with more than one thing. There is no point in wasting your money on something you can wear only once, or with only one outfit. One of my favourite things to do is wear a simple outfit and switch up the way it looks with a different jacket, coat, cardigan and shoes. 

6. style your hair different

Another really easy step to look put together/stylish is to put in a little more effort when it comes to your hair, you could be wearing a simple pair of jeans and top but look really put together with a really easy to do hairstyle. My favourite thing to do is a easy DIY salon looking blow-dry at home, which i mentioned in a recent beauty hacks i swear by post. I also love doing voluminous waves, which can be super quick and easy to do by placing your hair in a high pony-tail and curling as you normally would before removing the hair-tie. 

7. how to afford luxury fragrances

Smelling good is sometimes as good if not the perfect way to finish off a stylish look and perfume can be super expensive, but there are ways to dodge the cost. A great tip is to shop/search for designer fragrance dupes from places such as Next, M&S, Primark and New Look for a lot less. Other great ways are to try out a fragrance subscription service or even shop duty free/sales. 

8. make your old clothes new again

Another great way to switch up some of your current wardrobe pieces is to do a little DIY on them, whether that be adding rips to a plain pair of jeans or making them into shorts. There are so many great step by step ways on how to DIY your clothing/accessories on Pinterest, which you would be surprised at how simple they are to do. If DIY isn't really your thing, you can also add things to an existing outfit such as a belt.

Catch up on my previous tips + tricks post HERE...

xo.

WAYS TO SWITCH UP YOUR EVERYDAY MAKEUP ROUTINE

Hello everyone! We all have those moments when we get stunk in a rut, especially when it comes to our everyday makeup routine and we tend to just keep doing the same thing over and over again. That being said applying makeup should always be fun and never seem as if it is a chore, keeping that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some great ways to switch up your everyday makeup routine...

1. look through all the products in your makeup collection

It is super easy to just reach for your most recently purchased makeup items, but then all of your other products get pushed aside and forgotten about. By looking through your collection once in a while will make you see what other products you used to love reaching for, to encourage you to reach for them again.

2. have a makeup de-clutter
That being said sometimes you can get into a makeup rut because you are slightly overwhelmed with the amount of products in your collection, when that occurs it is always good to have a good makeup de-clutter and rid yourself of any products you dislike or don't want to hang onto anymore.

3. dedicate a drawer or makeup make to your everyday essentials

Something i did a lot and still often do, is to dedicate a drawer from my acrylic storage to some everyday essentials of mine and to avoid getting into that rut again switch the products up/around each month. This is also a great way to save time searching through your collection/makeup bag, especially if you are in a hurry!

4. try out some new-in makeup products

It is so easy to just say oh this is my favourite product i am not going to bother trying out anything new, but this is in fact when you get fed up of something. Be adventurous and try something from the new-in section, you never know something could become your new go-to everyday makeup item.

5. switch up the order of application if something isn't working right

Doing your makeup every single day the same way as if you are on auto-pilot can get super boring quick, even if every single product you are using is still working well for you there is still a simple step to help switch things up. Simply switch up the order in which you apply your makeup, even if it is just one or two steps.

6. upgrade your tools/appliances 

Sometimes switching up your makeup products isn't always necessary, something simple like switching up or upgrading your tools and appliances can do just the trick. Treat yourself to a new well lit makeup mirror, some new brushes or new storage. Having great lighting makes such a huge difference to the way your makeup ends up looking and makeup storage is a great way to stay organised (clear view, clear mind).

7. wear what makes you feel happy/confident 

It is easy to follow someone else/or a trend and say you love something just because they do, which in fact that certain product/look doesn't work well for you. Makeup should always be fun and you should always wear your makeup the way you like to wear it, what type of look makes you feel happy and confident in yourself.

8. skip non-essential products if you are pinched for time

In an everyday makeup routine it can either go one of two ways, stick to the bare essentials or go all out and reach for everything and put it on your face. That being said if you are in a rush and pinched for time, skip the non-essential steps such as winged eyeliner or a technical eyeshadow look which isn't necessary all of the time. Also if you are anything like me and still when it comes to winged eyeliner, it probably takes me ten minutes per eye as i still struggle with getting them even looking often!

9. nail your skincare routine

The way your everyday makeup looks can be improved a huge amount, simply by making sure you nail your skincare routine/application. Making sure your skin is super hydrated and prepped for makeup, will make your makeup look and last a lot better as it has the perfect base for everything to be applied on top of it. Even adding an extra face mask into an evening a week, will make all the difference.

10. turn your everyday makeup from simple to glam in seconds
Maybe you are headed straight from work or school to something a little more dressy. A couple of great quick and easy fixes for transforming your makeup look from simple to glam in seconds, are to apply a little more highlighter to the areas you usually would and also to glam a simple face of makeup up, add a bolder lip choice like a red for example.

11. be comfortable when applying your makeup
One of the most important things for me when doing my makeup everyday is to make sure i am sitting down comfortably, i like to sit on my chair at my dressing table and either watch TV or listen to music by doing this it makes it a lot more enjoyable than being sat in silence. We have also all been there before, when you sit on the floor then realise you can't get up because your feet/legs have gone to sleep. 

12. experiment with products in your collection
Finally is a step that will inject some fun back into your makeup routine and that is to experiment with the products in your collection. Something as simple as mixing two or three lipsticks together to create the perfect shade, especially when you dislike a product by itself but mixed with another product it could work well.

Catch up on my recent updated brow-routine post HERE...

xo.

TIPS & TRICKS: HOW TO PACK A SMALL HANDBAG

Hello everyone! I used to be one of those people who always carried a larger handbag, which nine times out of ten just used to end up being full of unnecessary rubbish and would get on my nerves because it was just so heavy. Then last year i started to carry a much smaller handbag and i have not looked back since, just because the bag is smaller doesn't always mean you can't fit all of the essentials inside. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you, my personal tips and tricks on how to pack a small handbag.

1. choose the right "smaller" handbag, this one from Topshop is perfect for packing items inside of it as it has different zip compartments, card slots and can either be worn as a clutch or chain bag.

2. only pack the lip products or lip combination you need for that day, i always used to end up carrying around about ten different lip products that i didn't need to.

3. invest in a small coin purse/pouch to hold all the little bits and bobs you might need, but don't want to have lying at the bottom of your bag to get lost such as hair pins, hair ties, coins and notes.

4. as i mentioned this bag has card slots which is super handy, but still only ever pack the cards you might need whilst out and about so if you're shopping only take the essential cards.

5. invest in a roller ball perfume or a refillable mini perfume, these save so much room in your bag and save your favourite perfume from getting lost/damaged.

6. save samples/buy sample sized products to keep in your bag such as hand creams/hand gels, as they save so much room (i have a samples tips & tricks post here).

7. keep essential items that won't fit inside a coin purse, such as tampons, headphones, gum/mints and keys in the zip compartment this way they are hidden away/less likely to loose them.

8. if you are going to want to touch up through-out the day/night, invest in a face powder that has the product, applicator and a mirror all in one, this way you don't need to carry them separate. 

9. an essential when buying a smaller bag, make sure you phone fits inside or it has a safe place for it to go, because let's face it we can't go without our phones right?

10. arrange items inside your bag in a certain way rather than just throwing everything in, this way the bag is more likely to close easier and look less bulky.

catch my previous handbag related posts here:

blogmas day ten: what's in my bag

my handbag essentials

xo.