THE WEEKEND | Spring/Summer OOTN.

Afternoon all!

Thought I'd pop up a quick little outfit post.

It's been seriously sunny and hot all week in Belfast, so I was so happy to get to break out the Summery clothes last night.

We just went for a few drinks so I didn't want anything too dressy so I opted for these little patterned shorts and this cami style top, both from River Island.

I used to work for River Island and I bought so much from there at the time with my discount that I can't usually stand to go in now, but I was actually pleasantly surprised with the nice things they have in at the minute.      

My heels are my trusty Zara babies. I got them last Summer and have lived in them since. I like my heels to be super high so generally comfort goes out the window, but these really aren't too bad! No pain no gain eh?

I'm really loving the clashing prints trend thats floating about currently, so I opted for this monochrome black and white striped clutch from Primark to mix it up a little.                                                                                    

I had to sneak in a few entertaining photo's from the night too!

Yup, that's a peg.. on my nose..

I wish I knew what was so funny?!

This seems to be my new go-to pose!

Thanks for reading!

What did you get up to this weekend?

Rachael x

                   

Motivational Monday | Week Four

Happy Monday guys!

Time for your weekly dose of motivation!

I like this little quote and I think its definitely something we can all relate to.

We're all encouraged to moan about things and to "let it all out", but we're rarely encouraged to tell people about the good things in our lives.

I'm going to set myself a challenge this week to try to focus more on the good things in my life and less on the negatives. Hopefully you guys will join in too!

A positive mindset is definitely the way forward!

Have a great week everyone!

Tell me something that you're thankful for in the comments :-)

Rachael x

Motivational Monday | Week Three

Morning lovelies!!

Todays post is about when things go wrong. We all have, to some extent, a plan for our lives. Some of know exactly what our end goal is, how we want to achieve it and how long it will take to happen. Some of us, myself included, aren't so sure. Our plans aren't set in stone, but we have an inkling of how we'd like it all to go.

Unfortunately we don't always get our way. Things change, people change, we change. It's easy to become disheartened and to beat yourself up about things when they don't go as planned, but that won't help. It will only make us feel worse.

My friend Matthew sent me this picture last week when I was having a bit of a hard time. It's something he's been trying to live by, and I think it's brilliant.

It's funny, it's simple and it works.

Life is an adventure, change is good and difficulties make us stronger. 

From now on, when something doesn't go my way, I'm going to do as this little quote says.
I'm going to scream "PLOT TWIST" and I'm going to move on. Our energy is far better spent improving ourselves and our lives than thinking about what could of been and living in the past.

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday and enjoy the rest of your week!

What helps you guys cope with Mondays?

Rachael x

The sky isn't always blue. The sun doesn't always shine. It's okay to fall apart sometimes.

I've had a bit of a tough week. 

The worst week in a very long time.

I'm not too good at talking about my emotions, I like to keep everything inside and deal with it in my own way. 

Normally my "dealing" with my emotions involves listening to my sad Spotify playlist and crying in my bed!

I'm lucky enough however to have wonderful family and friends.

People who allow and encourage me to cry/scream/vent with them.

I'm also lucky that I don't take anything too seriously and I enjoy the little things in life.

I love spontaneity and trying different things constantly.

On Thursday night at around 9.30, my friend Matthew and I were driving back to Belfast after having visited our ginger friend Stewart in Derry/Londonderry.

(Yes, that does say "Muff". Its a place in County Donegal in Ireland! Hahaha, we're very mature!) 

We were blasting a Mika CD we bought in Poundland (old school, I know) and singing at the top of our voices when we decided we wanted to go somewhere to watch the sunset.

We decided to climb to the top of Cavehill in Belfast.

We took the "scenic" route, which consisted of mud, mud and more mud.

We made it to the top hot, sweaty and with a few minutes to spare.

The view was beautiful and so worth the trek up the hills.

Apologies for the photo quality guys, the spontaneous decision meant I had to take the photos with my iPhone.

Of course we had to take some Selfies!

Scary drop!

 What isn't pictured is me falling into a nettle bush. It was dark and I was scared we would be murdered so clumsy old me decided to run and naturally I tripped. It resulted in nettle stings all over my body, three splinters and a big gash on my right knee. Ouch!

Sometimes when you're having a hard time you need to do something that makes you feel human. Something that makes you feel alive. Something that allows you to remember how small your problems are in the grand scheme of things. Everything is temporary. Including the hard times, which is something we often forget. 

What I'm trying to say is, if you're having a hard time it's okay to let yourself be sad for a little while. It's okay to bawl your eyes out while watching chick flicks and eating Galaxy. Just make sure you remember that things get better, and you're never truly alone. 

Thanks for reading guys, sorry about the depressing post!

I'll be back on Monday with a cheery, inspiring Motivational Monday post!

Rachael x

Motivational Monday | Week Two

Good Mooorrrnninngg everyone!!

It's Monday again already! Time for the second instalment of Motivational Mondays, wahoo!

Todays little quote is one I really like. It just tells it as it is, no bull, no excuses. 

We all have our little down days and days when we feel sorry for ourselves, but its important to remember to try and be positive. No matter how bad the situation is, a little positivity goes a long way!

If you don't like something in your life, change it. Change doesn't always come straight away, but if you work for it, it soon will!

Thanks for reading and I hope this post makes your Monday a little bit brighter. If you have any motivational quotes, please leave a comment with them so we can all have a little look!

Rachael x

What I've Been Loving This Month | May

How on earth is it June already? Crazy! Almost halfway through 2014, eek!

This months favourites post is quite make-up/skincare heavy. I've been changing things up a little bit now that the weather is getting nicer (she says as the rain runs down out the window).

Skincare wise I've been having a few breakouts recently which I think its due to the change in season, boo. Therefore I needed a few simple products to treat my spots without irritating my sensitive skin. With this in mind, I popped into Lush and picked up two of their Toner Waters.

I opted for the Eau Roma Water, which is a mix of Lavender and Rose water. It claims to soothe and hydrate without causing skin to overreact. Exactly what I was looking for! I've been using this morning and night after double cleansing. It really does calm the skin and leaves it feeling super soft, I'd definitely recommend it!

The second Toner Water I picked up was the Tea Tree Water. Tea tree is great for spot prone skin. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties really help clear the skin, it dries up existing spots and stops the germs spreading across the face. I use this after the Eau Roma water, with a cotton pad. I really do think this has helped to clear up my skin recently and will be repurchasing soon.

Another spot treatment I've been using is the Origins Super Spot Remover.

I just dab a little of this onto any spots I have before I go to bed and it dries them up and minimises their size by morning time. It's a little pricier but really worth the money.

Lastly for skincare this month is an eye cream. I'll be honest I'd never really used an eye cream until now. I don't seem to get dark circles and my under eye skin isn't too much of an issue, but I thought since I'm twenty two I'd start using one. I wanted something organic, so I picked up the Boots Botanic Hydrating Eye Cream.

It's 80% organic and has nourishing rosehip. I've been using it morning and night and I have to say I've noticed that my under eye are feels more hydrated and looks fresher. Plus a little goes a long way, so I can see this lasting for a good while.

Now for make-up, there are four items that I've been loving throughout May and three of them are base products. I've been trying to achieve the much sought after dewy glow this month and the first product I've enlisted for this is a new foundation.

I've loved this Nars Sheer Glow for ages but when I ran out, I didn't get around to repurchasing it until now. Despite what the name suggests, this foundation isn't really all that sheer. You can easily build it up to a give a nice medium coverage, yet still keep the pretty glow. I have the shade Mont Blanc which is the perfect match for me when I'm not fake tanned. 

I've been using a new concealer too. The Rimmel Match Perfection 2-in-1 concealer and highlighter. 

This stuff is gorgeous, I don't know why I hadn't tried it before! It gives really good coverage, is really creamy and its perfect for an under eye concealer because of the built in highlight. It's a beaut.

Lastly for base products is MAC Strobe Cream.

It's a bit of a multi task product. The description that MAC give explains it far better than I could! "The ultimate quick fix for the skin. Super-powered with potent botanicals; de-snoozes, de-stresses, moistens, freshens and boosts the look of dull, flat or tired-looking skin with a fully loaded vitamin zap and a mega dose of green tea. Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. Enhances the effects of light on all skin and in all lighting conditions from sunlight to spotlight" - phew!! I've been using it either under my foundation to give an all over glow, or over my foundation as a liquid highlight, on my cheekbones, brow bone etc. Its really creamy and pigmented and its great value for money.

The final two make-up products are from Benefit. I recently had my eyebrows done at the Benefit brow bar in Debenhams, Belfast (more on that in the next few weeks) and the girl used Brow Zings to fill in my brows.

I loved the look it gave and remembered that I had it at home. I've been using it every day since and can't remember why I ever stopped using it now! There's a brow shadow to fill in your brows and a wax to set them. It also comes with two little brushes to use and tweezers. Its seriously fool proof and its a tiny little product with a mirror inside so its handy to take around with you.

The other product is a new Benefit launch. The Posie Balm. 

It comes after the Posie tint which I already love, so I knew I had to have this. Its a gorgeous poppy pink colour, is really moisturising and lasts quite well for a balm. I've taken to applying the tint first, then applying this over it. The two work perfectly together and I've been rocking this lip look most days since I bought it. Plus the packaging is to die for!

Last, but by no means least are my Nike Rosherun trainers.

I bought these a few months back when ASOS had 20% off and I honestly haven't worn much else. They are so comfy, they're so cute and they go with everything! I've been wearing them to work out as well as with skinny jeans for a casual day out. They're definitely worth the money and I am officially in love. I'm already looking for my next pair!

Thanks so much for reading guys! What have you been loving during May?

Rachael x