Hello Lovelies!

Apologies because I really am the worst at keeping the blogging up. Good intentions and all that. Anyway, I thought I'd do a post to share with you guys what I've been up to lately.

Uni trip to London! So basically, I'm the least travelled person that I know. It's taken me 25 years of life to actually venture to London. I went at the start of last month on a trip with my fellow Law students. Most of our time was scheduled with visiting courts and Parliament but we also spent a lovely afternoon doing proper touristy things such as swinging by Buck Palace and browsing in Harrods. We also saw a show called Kinky Boots which was amazing!!

L-R: Buckingham Palace, China Town, Big Ben and St.Paul's Cathedral

Then there have been the standard few nights out. Less than normal, to be honest I don't really enjoy nights out clubbing as much as I used to, I think it's just something you grow out of. I prefer going for a couple drinks and playing some pool, that way you can properly catch up with people. Nevertheless I had a brilliant night celebrating my friend Jake's 21st last month and going out on Easter Saturday knowing none of us had work the next day.

Cocktail obsessed, short person problems, homemade cocktail

I've also spent quite a bit of time trying to get outside as much as possible. It'll be easier now because of the longer hours of light and milder weather but the past few months have been so rainy and grim it's been challenging. I don't think winter helps my anxiety at all, I literally thrive on sunlight so getting outside is essential to me. Finally got round to visiting Brent Tor on the other side of Dartmoor to where I live, it's beautiful and the church is actually still in use. Luckily it was a dry day so we also visited the nearby Lydford Gorge on the same day. Apart from that I've been putting in some hours at the allotment to get it ready for sowing and the arrival of chickens in the next couple weeks.

St Michael's Church at Brent Tor and the waterfall at Lydford Gorge

Gonna have to put my head down a bit for the next couple months as exams are looming but hopefully get to do more in the evenings. Hope all's good with you whatever you're up to!

Lauren X

Going back to Uni!

Hello lovelies!

If you are familiar with my blog you will know I've just returned after a 2 year break in blogging! During this time lots happened. I got out of my anxiety rut, got a full time job in retail, quit said job and am now a full time student!

The job was exactly what I needed at the time and really set me on my way but at the end of the day it was a minimum wage retail job with no prospects. I have A Levels but really felt that I needed to have some sort of qualification or training in order to escape going from dead end job to dead end job for the rest of my life.

Long story short, I am now studying at a local college for a Foundation Degree in Law with Business. The degree is awarded by Plymouth Uni but taught at one of it's partner colleges in their University Centre.

I can honestly say I think this is one of the best decisions I have ever made. My class is small and varied in age, lifestyle and other factors but we get along like a big family. The lecturers are amazing and although I have no comparison I think we really get to take full advantage of them in comparison with a traditional university set up. Even better is the fact that my fellow students aren't there simply for 'the university experience' or in other words, to live life as one big party. They actually want this and are juggling it with other responsibilities such as jobs, families, all sorts.

I don't really know what I aim to achieve with this post but I suppose it keeps you up to speed with what's been going on. Don't forget it's never too late to go after what you want in life!

Lauren X

I'm still here!

Hello Lovelies,

So the last time I posted on here was over two years ago now, I think that's defo what you'd call an extended break! Truth is, I don't really know what happened, I guess life just took over and the blogging world (reading and writing posts) took the brunt. The past few weeks I've started catching up with those of you I used to follow and WOW! Babies, marriages, career changes, you name it, it's happened!
So I hear you say, 'what've I been up to?'.....

Well I got my first 'proper job', passed my driving test, flew the nest for the first time (and consequently realised life is hard in the real world and returned 8 months later), and started uni! I also had my first 'proper relationship' come together and unfortunately fall apart, but hey, life goes on.

So at the moment I am in the midst of my summer holidays, I don't go back to studying until the 28th of September...safe to say it's been a long summer!

Lauren X

Hello Stranger...

Hello lovelies, 

I bet you thought I'd fallen off the face of the Earth hey? No such luck!

I know, I've been completely and utterly rubbish at updating my blog over the last few months but hope to be checking in a bit more often again from now on.

Since I last posted I've become an aunty for the first time!

She has been taking up a LOT of my time. I wouldn't change it for the world. 

Sadly it's not all good news. In June we had to say goodbye to Jasper after 11 years of love.

We miss him like crazy. When you've been used to having a dog sometimes all you want is a warm, furry hug to cheer you up. 

On a lighter note...

I've been enjoying summer and what a summer we've had in the UK. I don't remember so many days in a row where you could wake up and not have to wonder what the weather will turn out like. Normally if you want to wear sandals and a dress without drowning/having a gust of wind expose your knickers you have to be psychic. I've been told by several oldies of the infamous (to them) hot summer of '76. Hopefully we won't have to wait 37 years until the next! While I'm on the subject it wouldn't be very British of me not to moan about the weather too, because let's face it, whatever it does is never right for us...

and this year I wouldn't have minded a little more rain as I finally got an allotment after being on the waiting list for ages...

I was starting to think that you had to wait for one of the plot holders to be pushing up daisies before you got anywhere on the list. Turns out I wasn't far off but in this instance the council decided to rent half of another field to cope with demand for plots. Phew, no need to bump off an OAP!

Lauren X

Primark Haul April 2013!

Hello lovelies, 

Here are the things I bought at Primark on Sunday. As usual you will have to excuse my poor photographs! I've left out a few other things that were run of the mill tops and underwear, etc as you don't really want to see that. There were so many nice things that I wish I'd got more, defo going to need to go again soon because there's plenty more I want. The only disappointing thing was that they didn't have the £10 denim looking dress with the rose type flowers on it, but oh well it's still early in the season yet. 

Denim(ish) polka dot dress - £10

Black floral dress - £10

Denim shorts - £5

Cropped cardi - £5

Navy polka dot dress - £10

Stripey nautical skirt - £6

Tan buckle bag - was £4 now £2

Tan plaited skinny belt - was £1 now 50p

Floral duvet cover set - was £16 now £8

Can't wait for some warmer weather now so I can wear summer clothes! Leave me a link if you've posted a haul recently - I love them!

Lauren x 

I'm Back! Sunday Summary 7th April 2013

Hello Lovelies, 

I know, I know, long time no see but I'm back to blogging after a month-ish long break. I just felt like I'd hit a wall and then decided to leave it for a while and come back. I've still been reading all my favourite blogs though, so I think I'm up to date with what you ladies have been getting up to ;) 

While I was gone all this furore happened surrounding the end of Google Reader. Unless you've been under a rock I'm sure you'll have heard about it's demise on the 1st of July, so if you want to keep following me here are my links: 

Bloglovin

Twitter

Pinterest

It's such a pain that Google Reader's going because that's how I've always followed blogs until now. In the next couple days I'm going to make sure I follow everyone on Bloglovin so that I don't miss anything when the change happens!

Apart from that everything's pretty fine. Since I last posted: I've had four driving lessons and am absolutely loving it! Jasper's had us worried sick so we've had frequent trips to the vets but he seems to be picking up now thank goodness. My friend has had a beautiful little boy called Marcus and is moving to a village just down the road from me. 

Later in the month my niece is due to arrive, my mum turns sixty and I start an employment skills course. So it's fair to say that there's a lot going on. I like being busy :)

Well done if you've got to the end of this. I bought a few bits and pieces in Primark today so have a haul post of that coming up in the next couple of days, but for now I'll say goodnight because it's not actually sunday anymore but I'm still counting this as a Sunday Summary so shhhhh!

Lauren x

Soap & Glory - Fab Pore Facial Peel Review

Hello lovelies, 

I've always been a huge fan of a good face mask, that feeling you get when your skin is squeaky clean and you have a nice base for everything else you're going to mess it up again with. It's so easy to just slap one on and leave it to work its magic. 

After receiving a S&G set for Xmas I found myself with some money off vouchers for their products. I managed to pick this up last month for the bargain price of £3 and I have been using it regularly since I got it. 

The Soap and Glory Fab Pore Facial Peel, Boots, RRP £8.

Firstly, I'd like to point out that this isn't really a peel in the rip off a layer of your skin, leave your face red way that you might imagine. It's more of a refining treatment that makes your skin feel rejuvenated and fresher looking. I have very fussy, problem prone skin and was a little concerned that I might not get on with it, but we've got along fine so don't let that put you off. 

So what is it I hear you ask? Well the Fab Pore is essentially a clay mask with added extras that are tailored to troublesome skin; a pore tightening mushroom extract, salicylic acid to loosen dead cells, Vitamins E&C for their anti-oxidant qualities and of course kaolin (or clay to you and I) to absorb oil. The mask also has little green beads running through it which S&G instruct you to massage into your face focussing on your t-zone or wherever you feel you have problem pores. They recommend using it 2-3 times a week for either 5 or 10 mins depending on whether you want a quick refresher or a deep clean. 

I've become quite a fan of this mask and have been using it about every 3 days to do the 'deep clean' just because I don't see the point in just using it for 5, and also I forget I've got masks on and potter about doing other things so they tend to get taken off later rather than sooner. There's something strangely satisfying about rubbing the beads into your face and having them dissolve, while the mask starts feeling as though it's getting thicker on your skin. When I wash it off it leaves me with really really smooth, clean skin and it definitely makes my pores appear smaller and tightened. It absorbs all the excess oil from my t-zone and if anything leaves my skin a little on the dry side (which by the way is not a complaint because I know it's supposed to, I'm just saying it works very well) so I make sure to moisturise after. I've used it about 10 times now and have probably got a quarter of the way in, so it seems as though it will last a few months (obviously depending on how much of your face you do) and works out pretty good value for money.

Basically it's just another reason to love Soap and Glory.

Lauren x