When Life Gives You Lemons...

MAKE LEMONADE!

My blog may not be the fanciest, or the most technically designed, but it's where I've shared my favourite products, my opinions about my favourite (or not so favourite) celebrities and where I've also shared some of my dreams and aspirations.

I haven't blogged in such a long time and I'm beginning to miss it. Sharing is caring - and as much as I have no idea who I'm sharing my thoughts with I've decided to re-take the plunge and get back into it.

I'm a little nervous as my priorities have changed - I still fangirl over celebrities, squeal over a brand new miracle product and still fall head over heels in love with new music. Most of all - I still dream big.

I recently left a well-paid, comfortable, full-time job to conquer new beginnings. I was terrified as I didn't know which plan to explore first!

That's what my Mum always says but is it really?! My one big dream - the one that would satisfy my soul to no end - is the one where I move to San Francisco and have an almighty view of the Golden Gate Bridge. I would wake up every morning to a foggy view of the Bay and eat Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner down at Fisherman's Wharf. One day, that still might come true - but it isn't easy for a little Diabetic dreamer to move to a country that doesn't have Healthcare. Trust me though, the research has begun.

If anyone has any knowledge or experience in moving abroad PLEASE GET IN TOUCH. This has to happen one day - even just for a year or two.

Focussing back to the here and now I had better start earning some cash to bay those delightful bills of mine and, of course, start saving for my exciting new future plans.

I now work part-time at Starbucks where my feet get battered and I come home soaked in coffee spills - but loving it all the same. Learning something new feeds the brain and adds quality to quantity - and I'm finally back working face-to-face with customers (I sort-of missed conversation and friendly banter with a new person every minute when stuck inside an office 24/7).

WHEN THE STUDENT IS READY, THE MASTER APPEARS

- A Buddhist proverb

I have appointments with recruitment agencies and interviews coming in so who knows where I'll settle - as long as I can save for my dreams I will do anything! 

I'll keep you posted...

[[For sources click the photos]]

Follow me on Twitter @sheldan2207

The Good, The Bad and the Gullible...

I need help! I've sampled 3 new products this month and they really haven't set my world alight. I need suggestions and I need them now!! On the flip side I've also found 3 beauty products I will use forever and ever! Let's get started:

1) Umberto Giannini Incredible Body Shampoo & Conditioner

The ad campaign for the Incredible Body range was quite simply genius. Millie Macintosh, hunky man and an interactive comic book ad (which you HAVE to read - CLICK HERE) - it was all so perf. So obviously I bought it! 

I can't say my hair didn't fluff up a bit because actually it did! I went from flat and limp to big and bouncy in about 2 weeks but then my hair also went dry and...rather crazy! Despite using heaps of conditioner my hair was simply impossible to brush out post-shower which added at least 15 extra minutes to my morning! Also, I can't say much about the scent for this Shampoo and Conditioner: Bland is the only word to use  to describe how it smells wet and dry! I much prefer products that smell delicious not just mid-wash but afterwards too - Can anyone recommend their fave shampoos?! I'm running on empty and need suggestions!

2) Little Mix by Collection - Jesy's Full On Mascara

This is the promo pic of Jesy on the page where you can buy this mascara:

This is my sad, gullible little face when I tried out the mascara:

NO! Not really! But still I was rather upset! Basically, Little Mix have taken the advice of other such pop stars who have 'branched out' and sold their personalities to sell random low-quality products! Boo...hoo! Even after 3 coats of this mascara my lashes were still nowhere near my usual every day length never mind boasting a 'full on' look. Other than Natural Collection, what other fabulous, affordable mascaras can I try?! Tell me now!

3) Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

This powder actually isn't a terrible product! The only thing that got to me was the fact that all the powder bunched up together and I had to stab it into loose powder for it to be any good. Other than that it lasted a whole month and didn't wear off my skin for a good 5-6 hours! That is a decent no-shine time! The Natural Collection version never congealed like this one so I'm tempted to go back! What powder do you use? I need to know!

Ok... Never mind the bad products because I know someone will set me straight by Tweeting me at @sheldan2207 OR post me your pics on Instagram (ShelbyLT22)! I want to get to know some new products!

Let's move on to 3 fabu products that I now can't live without:

1) Palmer's Firming Cocoa Butter

I apply this to my legs, bum, boobs and tum every single night and have noticed a considerable difference to my skin. I have less cellulite on my bum and thighs, super smooth skin and also smell rather delicious in the morning! 

2) Boots Soft Cosmetic Sponges

I've recently learnt the importance of changing your cosmetic tools every week - and these are affordable at only £1.95 for four and they feel amazing on your skin. I've tried some Superdrug sponges before and they felt much rougher than these! For a smooth, even coverage these are the best.

3) OPI Princesses Rule!

Kim Kardashian has been sporting short, feminine, subtle nails recently so I have also sported short, feminine and subtle nails. It's that classic Mean Girls moment:

Instead of getting a set of long Acrylics, I opted for a grown up full set of Gels coloured with OPI's Princesses Rule! A beautiful shimmering pink, this polish is one of the only colours I will ever re-use. Kim will be so proud. Probably...

Tweet Me: @sheldan2207

Instagram: ShelbyLT22

Get in Touch!

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Photo & Shopping Links:

Umberto Giannini

Incredible Body

Jesy Mascara

Jesy

Crying Girl

Rimmel Powder

Firming Butter

Boots Sponges

OPI

Mean Girls

Thrifty Thursday: Free Ways To Guarantee A Good Night's Sleep

We all know sleep is important: Most of us wish we had time for a lot more of it! Yet ever since the rise of social media and since our lives are becoming busier and busier, a fair few of us struggle to get the recommended 8 hours every night! Just a few small, FREE changes can aid the sleep quality in your life. Can you do it?!

1) De-clutter your room, de-clutter your mind
It may seem simple but those with a tidier room have a clearer mind which means they're able to switch off quicker at night! Instead of stressing out trying to find my cleanser and then scrabbling around looking for a clean pair of fluffy socks, I'm in bed unwinding already!

2) Lose yourself in a good book
Removing yourself from all the thoughts of your reality, pick up your book and get lost for at least 30 minutes before you try to sleep. The main cause of sleep deprivation is the inability to close off from to-do lists, daily stresses and every day strains. I'm reading Croissants and Jam by Lynda Renham and it's the perfect brief escape to help me dose off!

3) Drink a milky drink before bed
Milk contains melatonin which is the helpful stuff apparently! Not only is it proven to prevent bone decay, balance the chemicals, postpone ageing and aid the prevention of cancer, it has also been used as a Pre-bedtime drink since way back in the day! Mother has a milky coffee before bed every single night, my grandad has hot cocoa and my nan usually has tea! My tipple of choice is an Options Hot Chocolate in either Vanilla, Banana or Coconut flavour!

4) Take work outside
Your room is supposed to be your escape, the one place you can go for ultimate privacy and down time. If you've spent all day in there working on that presentation, article, spreadsheet or whatever it is that you're doing, when it comes to shutting off and going to bed, you're not leaving it behind anywhere! It's like trying to kip in the office.

5) Ban social media from the bedroom!
I could be feeling the sleepiest I've ever felt, then I quickly log onto Twitter to 'check' my feed. Instantly I'm involved in a string of retweets, a live web chat, multiple trending posts... I just can't help myself. Before I know it it's an hour later and I'm getting 7 hours instead of 8 hours sleep! No more 'checking' the feeds before bed!




Photo Sources:
http://reddphoenix78.deviantart.com/art/Tidy-Room-Tidy-Mind-314465070

http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Books/Paperback/Lynda-Renham/Croissants-and-Jam-A-Romantic-Comedy/product.html?product=E11148522

http://mind-power-book.com/blog/Hot-Chocolate-Bed-Time-Drink-or-Disturbed-Sleep

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/health/body/healthy-toolkit/cell-phone-health-risks/?page=4