Spread the Sunshine!

Hello everyone, a bit of a different post today!
My friend Jade recently started her Spread the Sunshine campaign and as someone who encourages positivity I loved the idea and asked if she could write a bit about it so that I could share the idea with you!

'Spread The Sunshine is a campaign, created by me, Jade Millard! The website for it is spreadthesunshine.weebly.com. It is about raising awareness of world wide issues such as self-esteem, confidence, self-harm etc whilst encouraging and enforcing positivity, inspiration and confidence! Although it's very much an individual thing, we are all part of a community and we all support each other. It's a journey to self discovery! We all have the power to change positivity into negativity, so why not do that and make a change whilst we can?!'

This is a wonderful campaign and i really hope lots of you get involved and help to spread some positivity!

Lots of love,

Emma xxx

For the song recommendation of the post, I asked Jade to choose a song!

'Demi Lovato - Skyscraper. 

I know that some of you may be thinking this song is quite a few years old now, but that doesn't change anything for me. Every time I listen to it, I feel so empowered and inspired, almost as if I could take on the world without caring what others think! It is one of the few songs that means a lot to me and has very significant meaning too. Demi Lovato is one of my biggest inspirations and she has been for quite some time, ever since I first got into her and her music. I think that she is by far one of the most influential people and I know for a fact that I'm not the only one who thinks that. I have experienced bullying and people trying to bring me down, but this song is all about not caring and rising up above the hateful people! Just like what my project is trying to show too! Don't allow people to ruin your life and toe happiness. You are in control of your own life. You can choose to be happy, or choose to let the haters win.'

Recent Purchases || April, May & June

Hello!

Today I have another post about some of the things I have bought recently, I've only included beauty items, I didn't have time to take photos of clothes I have bought.

I bought Colab dry shampoo from Superdrug because I love dry shampoo to give my hair an extra boost! This dry shampoo is by the model, youtuber and all round gorgeous Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends and I've only heard good things about it so decided to give it a try!
I got the full size Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions All-over Clearing Treatment and the Clarifying Lotion because it works a treat for my skin!
I also bought the B. Makeup Brush Cleanser, also from superdrug, because I needed to clean my brushes again, and I cleaned them earlier and they look like new! It was very inexpensive so well worth looking out for!

Lottie London is, as far as I'm aware, a new brand to Superdrug. They have a wide range of beautiful nail polishes (which I am yet to try) and makeup brushes in cute colours (ranging from £4.99-£9.49), I had to restrain myself from buying everything and just buy the Blend In Brush!
I bought some Eylure lashes for the dancing show/presentation, I've also heard lots of good things about Eylure as a brand!

These are again for the show, L'Oreal Lip Liner Couture in Scarlet Rouge and the Super Liner Perfect Slim which I really like, it is in Intense Black and the name does not lie!

I repurchased Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint & Precision Shaping Pencil because it is so good, and only £10! I also purchase One Heck Of A Blot, a translucent powder because a translucent powder is a must in anyone's makeup bag!

I bought this mini Benefit set from Boots, the products are all really good (and cute!)

No post of mine would ever be complete without some Barry M Nail Paints, I won't go on about how much I like them again, I think you already know!

I bought MAC's Kinda Sexy lipstick (it's a nude, like a more pinky version of Velvet Teddy, but it is showing up very pink in the photo) and I ended up wearing it to my prom, it's matte and lasts well!
Fix+ is a spray you can use before and after your makeup, it feels so refreshing on! Rubenesque Pro Longwear Paint pot is a gorgeous golden peach, that can look pink and Soft Ochre is an essential, it is a good base for eyeshadow or worn on it's own, they last very well (as the name suggests), as someone who find the Maybelline Colour Tattoos end up creasing on them, these are incredible and do not crease at all!

I didn't go into great depth about the products, some I only got a day or so ago and haven't been able to try properly, but please let me know if there's anything you like to see a review on or feel free to ask me questions in the comments!

I hope you're having a lovely week!
Lots of love,
Emma xxx



My song recommendation for this post is Let It Go from Frozen (another disney song, I'm obsessed...I'm definitely not 16 or anything...) I just love Frozen and all the songs and one day Liza and I will have our own edition of frozen and many different disney films;) (she'll be happy I mentioned her in this). If you want a non-disney song recommendation, check out this cover of HAIM's Forever that James Bay did in the Live Lounge ages ago, I love it!

Summer Ootd~ the £15 outfit!

Hello everybody! 

I'd like to start this off by apologising for not posting, it's been a very stressful few months, but with GCSE's out the way, I can use my 13 week holiday ( yes, 13 weeks of freedom) to bring you lots of blog posts!

As I completed my GCSE's, my Mum and Dad took me out for a celebratory meal. I loved what I was wearing and at a £15 total for my outfit (excluding jewellery) I thought I'd share it with you!

My playsuit was from Primark 2 years ago. It was £10 reduced to £5. When I took it to the till it had been further reduced to £1! I wish if have brought it in every size because let's face it, it won't fit forever!

I love the floral print on it. It's summer but not in your face bright colours, and I love that it looks like a dress, however it's actually shorts so it's perfect to dress up at night or dress down in the day and go for a picnic. *it has pockets too! which I love as it means I don't need to carry a bag for my phone!*

I paired it with these lovely black heels, also from Primark. They are very tall, but because of the thick heel, it's easier for me to walk in.

 These were only £14 and I can already tell I am going to be getting a lot of use out of these! They also make me look really tall, which is a bonus as I'm a tiny tot.

Finally I added my two pandora rings and pandora bracelet and used a rose gold eyeshadow from the Naked 2 pallete to cover my eyes, which added a nice touch. 

What other blog posts would you like me to do? I have a couple of baking ones, a baby lips review and urban decay haul lined up, but is there anything else that interests you? Also let me know your favourite items to wear this summer. 

Have a fab summer! 

Love Ella x

Q&A!

Hello!
Today I wanted to do a blogpost because it's the first day I've had where I've had no revision to do, I have no exams left and I also realised I've never done a Q&A on this blog before!
I asked on Instagram for your questions and you had plenty of weird and random questions for me so lets get into answering them and have a good, chilled, chatty post!

I just finished writing this and didn't realise how long it would be! Grab yourself a nice cup of tea, a biscuit and get comfy!

My first question is from @_.neeeve1d._ and she asks 'If you could only use one makeup product for the rest of your life what would it be?' It turns out I was also asked this question by @x.melissa as well!

I would probably say concealer, I don't have the greatest skin. It was a choice between either concealer or mascara but I have dark eyelashes naturally so I think I could live without mascara!

The next question is 'what is your favourite TV series?' and this is from @heyitisjess.

My favourite TV series is Downton Abbey. I promise I'm not an old person;) I just really enjoy it and I don't really watch much TV so I don't have anything else I could pick!

@jess_swanepoel_ asked me two questions, 'If you could go anywhere for a week with anyone and bring back any one thing, where would you go? Who would you take? And what would you bring back? and what are your tips for exam stress?' That is actually four questions but I'm feeling generous;)

That's really hard actually! I'm a very indecisive person so I'm going to cheat with my answer, I would go anywhere and I'd take someone I love with me, I don't mind who, if I really couldn't decide I could always take one of my cats (if you couldn't tell, I like cats) and I would bring back good memories and things that would make an impact upon my life. As for exam stress, I wrote a post about exams which you can click here to read, but I'd say make sure you make time for yourself, you are more important than a letter on a certificate. Take time to go out with your friends, watch a movie/youtube, listen to music, sleep or just relax. I think it's more important that you feel relaxed and realise that exams aren't all that bad, it's just how you think of them and that'll make all the difference!

@franrockey asked 'What is your favourite skincare product?'

My favourite skincare is Clinique's anti-blemish solutions range, its the only thing I've found that has worked on my skin, I wish I had found it when I was in y8 and I really needed it!

@lauren_everyday_ asks 'do you have any advice you would give to your younger self about growing up?'

Believe in yourself, don't worry about what other people think because you have great friends and you will make lots more who love you for who you are, and remember to think positively even through the hard times! I think they're things that we should all tell ourselves on a regular basis any way, life is filled with ups and downs but just because you aren't having a good time right now it doesn't mean that tomorrow won't be good!

@holly.hughes asked what is my 'biggest aspiration?', @fo.to.graphy asked 'do you know what you want to be/do when you're older?' and @perksofbeingami asked 'what do you want to do in the future?'

I don't know what I want to do as a job, everyone is reminding me that I need to start thinking about uni soon but I genuinely have no clue. I don't mind what I do as long as I am happy!

My next question is from @molly.wardx and she asked 'if you had kids what would you name them?'

Of course, you can guess I have no idea, little Emma I loved the names Rose and Abigail and now there are so many names I like, but I think the cutest name would be Nacho, obviously not for a child,  I'm clearly thinking of future cat names;) thank you Spanish past papers with funny but ideal cat names, you can tell we took GCSE Spanish lessons seriously...

@freya.ig asked 'whats the favourite place you went on holiday and why?'

I love Turkey, where we stay is so lovely, it's really beautiful and the people are all really friendly, but I've enjoyed everywhere I've been on holiday!

These questions are from @lizagrace_x and she said 'will you still be my cat lady? What A-Levels are you taking?'

I will forever be the cat lady, Liza, don't worry;) I'm doing art, biology, psychology and maths (it all lies in hannah hands with her silly sweets).

My next question is 'what do you spend your wages on?' and that was asked by @yazzie01302.

(Too much) Makeup and nail polish, clothes and music.

'favourite makeup brand?' was asked a few times, by @a.lixce and @abbietomx

I'm really loving Soap & Glory at the moment, their products are so lovely and such good quality for the price!

@lucy_wishes asked 'what's your favourite season? where's your happy place?'

As much as I love what we get of a summer, I definitely love the winter, I'm a Christmas baby and I think I'm probably the most Christmassy person you'll meet (I'm sure you know that already Luce!) I could listen to Christmas songs all day, every day, all year round, it's just such a happy and joyful (but cold) part of the year and I can't help but love it! My happy place is Talland Bay in Cornwall, I've been there so many times since I was little and it's just full of so many lovely memories for me and makes me forget about everything and just feel relaxed! Unfortunately it takes a long time to get there.

@floralodds asked the impossible question of 'out of all of your cats and dogs, which do you like the most and why?'

We all know I can't choose favourites but Percy is probably my favourite, he doesn't seem to like anyone but me, and everyone calls him ugly, poor little kitty! I love him lots though so thats all that counts;) I of course love Poppy, Stitch, Freddy and Florence a lot as well!

@ohhheyitssarah asked 'what's your favourite shop to get clothes from and why?'

Matalan kids section is where it's at. Wow I'm just so cool. But it really does have great clothes, its so inexpensive and it has sizes I fit in better, I'm short and clothes are hard to find (clearly) But I like a lot of other high street shops as well.

'stars or the moon?' was asked by @lil.beccaa

Probably the stars, I don't know why but we can all be glad that I managed to make one whole decision in this post. When we were in Norfolk, we stayed in this tiny little village and because it didn't have a lot of light pollution you could see so many stars and it was just beautiful.

@floralinstgram asked 'whats your summer essentials?'

I love BB creams and bright lip colours for the summer with a good pair of sunnies and you're ready to go!

@_perksofemily_ asked 'If you could change anything about you, your life, your account or anything, what would you change and why?'

Obviously I'd have more cats (no one expected that answer did they?!) I wouldn't change anything, apart from maybe the weather, it's summer and it's still freezing and very rainy, can't we have some sun?

Well, today we learnt how much I love cats.

I hope you enjoyed that post, it's really fun to do Q&As, you get to know a bit more about me and they're really nice to write!

Thank you for everyone who asked me questions, sorry if I got your username wrong or did get to include your questions, I got a lot more than I anticipated!

Have a good rest of the day and I'll speak to you very soon!
Lots of love,
Emma xxx




Today, my song for you is Dear No One by Tori Kelly, Tori has such a beautiful voice!

Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Hello,
On Tuesday, I got back from my last ever English exam and decided I wanted to do some baking!

I didn't follow a recipe because I didn't have one that I had all the ingredients for, so I just made it up and hoped for the best!

Disney DVDs and songs are baking essentials so don't forget them;)

Ingredients

• 200g softened butter
• 300g brown sugar
• 2tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 300g self raising flour
• Nutella
• 100g chocolate chips

Firstly, preheat your oven to about 180 degrees, I have no idea what that is for gas or what you should have it on for electric though, sorry! I creamed together the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.

Then I added the vanilla extract and eggs.

Next, add the flour and mix it in!

This is the best bit, Nutella. Add as much or as little as you want, preferably lots;) and then add your chocolate chips in too, I added a packet in because that's all we had, but I would add a bit more than that if I were you!

Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper and then add a spoonful of your mixture for each cookie. The mixture spreads a lot so I put four cookies on each tray! They should take about 20 minutes to cook.

And there you have your delicious cookies, a perfect treat to go with a cup of tea and a good movie.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe! My last exam is tomorrow and then I should hopefully be able to get back into more regular blogging!

I wish you the best of luck with any remaining exams, coursework etc. 

Lots of love,

Emma xxx

This week my song choice is going to be a Disney song (as it goes along with the post because that's what I listen to when I'm baking) and it was hard to pick just one, but it's I Just Can't Wait to be King from The Lion King, who doesn't love that film?!

A Walk in the Woods! || Part 2

Just over a year ago I got a new camera, a Nikon D5000 which had the kit lens (18-55mm autofocus) on and I posted a blogpost of my walk in the woods where I took my first photos with an slr. I didn't have much of an idea what I was doing but I gave it a good go and was still very pleased with the outcome. If you'd like to see that post you can click here!

On Sunday, I went to the woods to once again take photos of the beautiful bluebells that lay over the woods like a blanket of loveliness (what am I on about?!) and this time I had my 35-70mm lens which only has manual focus. I feel in the past year I've practiced and practiced and I think improved my photography a lot, so I'm just going to share with you a few of my favourite photos from that walk, I managed to narrow it down to 14 from 326, think yourselves lucky;)

I hope you like the photos I took. I was asked a while ago after I did my blog photography tips post if I could do a more general photography tips post, if you'd like to see that please let me know! I'm by no means a professional photographer but I could give it my best shot! 

I hope you enjoyed the long bank holiday weekend and we will be returning to more regular blogging very soon!

Lots of love, 

Emma xxx



I've decided to do a song recommendation in each post. This week my song recommendation is Run To You by Pentatonix. This song is absolutely beautiful and I could listen to it so many times and never get sick of it.

Simply Lovely Things

Hello!

I'm sorry I haven't posted for a couple of weeks - everything is very hectic with exams starting soon and school also ending soon!

This little blogpost is about some items I received from Simply Lovely things.

Items above and their prices:

• Wooden Chalkboard Heart, £7.50
• Mini Heart Pegs, £4.00
• Cath Kidston Themed False Nails,£6.50
• Creme Egg Charm Necklace, £3.95

I was lucky enough to have been sent these by the lovely and very generous Tara, I love everything I was sent. All items in the shop are cute and definitely worth purchasing. Everything is of a very good quality and even though I was sent these, I would definitely purchase them any way!

Tara also provided me with a code that allows you to get 10% off anything you purchase from her shop!

CUPOFTEA10  is the code you need!

Thank you again Tara for the lovely package and I hope you all love her shop as much as I do!

Links-

Simply Lovely Things - http://www.simply-lovely-things.co.uk/

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/simplylovelythings

Instagram: @simplylovelythings_

Twitter: @SLThings_

Lots of love,

Emma xxx

Disclaimer - I was sent these items in order to help promote Tara's shop, however all opinions are my own:)