Reducing Mental Health Stigma - An Interview

Hey Guys,

As you might know mental health week was in October.You also might know that mental health is a passion of mine. I was lucky enough to be able to interview Sorcha Lowry the campaign manager of seechange.ie to bring you some information.
Heres what she told me..

Autumn Wishlist

Hey Guys,
Its been a while, going back to school has been busier then anticipated.
I am currently ignoring the studying I have yet to do for my Christmas tests.

This is currently my favourite time of year, Halloween, Autumn, Christmas & New Year. I feel like everyone's is in a great mood from October till December. In Autumn all the clothes in the shops become 100% more comfortable and I want everything in sight. So I have decided to share with you my Autumn wishlist..

October Ramblings

Hey Guys,

I hope you all are having a lovely evening. I'm just about to go do some studying.
I don't have much time to work on blog posts as of late. Going back to school has been crazy busy. I'm currently swarming in homework & studying. Its hard to find time to blog. But when I do have an evening off during the week I want to spend it catching up with family & relaxing.

However I have been working on a few different blog posts this weekend but I just need to take some photos & edit them before I can upload them. Basically I wanted to blog this evening & didn't want to wait until at least next weekend until those posts were finished.

So here's whats been on my mind..

Liebster Award 2.0 - Sarah Hyland, Galway City & New York

Hey Guys,

 So recently I got nominated to do the Liebester Award by the lovely Sinéad from The Travel Bible. Today I am finally getting around to answering her questions.

Autumn Haul - Forever 21, Lush, Boots etc.

Hey Guys,

I hope you are all having a good day.

I know I have been away for a little while - my life has been a little hectic recently with school.

But today I have a haul for you.

So a while ago I went to Dublin shopping with my mam, sister & my best friend. It was such a cute little day out. For so long, I have been wanting to have a day in Dublin solely dedicated to shopping.We devised a plan to start with the shops that we didn't have in Galway, first.

Starting with ..

A Poem To Raise Awareness

The sunlight shines on his pasty white skin,
He needs to get drunk someone pass him the gin,
Hopefully tomorrow he'll love his body,
He doesn't have time to make hatred a hobby.
Just skip one meal no on will know,
It might help my six pack to grow
Inadequate & ugly unfashionable & grey
Thanks be god tomorrows a new day.

My M.A.C. Lipstick Collection

L-R Shy Girl, Please Me & Rebel

Hey Guys,

I have been asked for swatches of some of my MAC lipsticks & its taken a while but today I am going to be showing you my lipstick collection.

Summer | Roadtrips & Reflection

Hey Guys,

Today I want to talk about road trips. I recently went on a road trip with my parents. We were the whole day travelling.I have always been a fan of long car journeys. But this one was a lot of fun. Naturally when you are away from the internet & in the midst of the mountains a lot of things cross your mind.

Driving through the mountains can be very calming and peaceful & I really recommend it if you are an anxious person or if you have a lot on your mind.
I was the whole day without the internet just me & my thoughts for 5 hours in the car. However I did bring a few things to keep me company.

5 Things to Be Excited About

Hey Guys,

Whenever I'm feeling unmotivated or down I thing of all of the little things that I am looking forward too. 

So Today I though I'd share with you a list of 5 things that I am excited for.

15 Facts about me

Hey Guys,

Today I decided to share with you some facts about myself. 

Hopefully you get to know me a little better.

1. My favourite colour is green & has been since I was 8 years old.

2. My favourite time of year is Halloween.

3. I'm 5'3.

4. I'm very passionate about mental heath & mental illness awareness.

5. If someting is bothering me I cant do anything unless I sort it out in my head.

6. I hate feet, I don't want to see or touch them.

7. I'm single.

8. I'm an extrovert.

9. Harry Styles is my celebrity crush husband.

10. I Almost always creatively express any strong emotion I feel.

11. Because of this I have random poems, songs & journal entry's laying about.

12. I had braces for almost 5 years.

13. My favourite book is The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

14. I read my horoscope almost every night despite not really believing it.

15. Youtube or Tumblr are my favourite apps.

Leave me a fact about you in the comments

Happy BEDA!

Love always,

Nixie xx

Ashley Benson Inspired Fashion Favourites

Hey Guys,

Recently I have been loving Ashley Benson's style, mainly her sleek ponytail & dewy make-up look.
I would probably wear this look

An Open letter to My Future Husband

Dear Future husband,

First of all I really hope no one digs this post up on our wedding day because that would be embarrassing. But if they do Hi everyone I hope your all having a good day & don't forget to tell me how good I look ;)

On a serious note, I'm dying to know where we meet oh God please say it wasn't Tinder..I feel like it was some random pub or nightclub. Where are you from? Ireland more than likely. I have my money on Roscommon. When do I meet you? According to my horoscope I meet you very soon but I call bullshit. Hopefully not that soon I'm not ready yet I barely know how to put on a wash or do taxes.

God what's love like? Have you been heartbroken before? Have I? It crazy to think you are living some where going about your every day. Living the stories that you'll someday share with me.

Ohh Whats our wedding like? Did dad walk me up the aisle? I hope he did. Are my siblings there? My nephews? Do I have a niece? How many? I cant wait for our wedding ( why am I getting emotional?)

July Favourites 2015

Hey Guys

Today I'm going to be showing you the things I have been loving throughout the month of July.

Starting with..

Positivity with Rachel

Hello to all who have not met me, my name is Rachel and you can find me over on Where She Goes. Nixie has very kindly asked me to speak on her blog about the importance of positivity but first, if you don’t mind a bit about me.

Top left: That is myself wearing a bin bag, your welcome.

Top right: I am a book and tea addict and couldn't be happier about it.

Bottom left: Exercise is embarrassment and torture and I plan on never participating in such activities

Bottom right: Now there's something I'll participate in!

Seriously though...

I am a twin and when he and I were born we were born prematurely, we were born early, 11 weeks early to be exact. Being born premature was a real shock to my parents but the bigger shock was that I was diagnosed with a disability called Cerebral Palsy. This is a disability that is physical and affects my walking. Of course though people don’t realise that being disabled affects me emotionally as well.

Being positive is something that has kept me going throughout my disability but throughout my normal life also. The importance of positivity for me is that if you have a positive mind it in return gives you a positive life.

Now that we have got the soppy bit out of the way, here’s 10 ways to stay positive:

The Ugly Side of Beauty

Hey Guys,

Today I want to talk about something I have recently became very aware of & that is the harmful chemicals & toxins used in beauty products.

Researchers in the U.S. have found that 1 in 8 of 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are hazardous industrial chemicals. Many of these harmful substances are used to clean industrial equipment, stabilize pesticides and grease gears.I think we can all agree that these are not things we want in our moisturisers or shampoos.

Some products also contain carcinogens which have been linked to causing cancer, neurotoxins which can cause damage to the brain and nervous system and reproductive toxins which impair the ability to reproduce and can cause damage to the offspring itself.

Thankfully things like Formaldehyde (carcinogen and irritant found in nail products, hair dye, fake eyelash adhesives & shampoos.) and hydroquinone (used for lightening skin. rated most toxic on the EWG’s Skin Deep database, and linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity) are banned in the EU & UK.

However words such as “natural” &"organic" have no legal definition. Companies are supposed to only use an organic label if all ingredients are certified-organic, but they can also say it’s “made with organic” if it a product contains a minimum of 70 percent certified-organic ingredients. 30% is still too much room for dangerous toxins.

How can I protect myself from these harmful chemicals & toxins?

My Skincare Routine- 50th Post!

Hey Guys,
HAPPY 50TH POST!
Thats insane!

Recently my skin has been a lot better than usual , compared to this time last year its in a lot better condition too. I never really had a skin care routine before but I think I have finally found the products that work well for me.

Hopefully you enjoy!

Exfoliator - St.Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Face Scrub

I use this once a week to keep my skin exfoliated.

Whenever my skin is acting up or whenever my foundation

doesn't apply as well as it should.I know I need to a use this scrub. It makes my foundation apply flawlessly & prevents

June Favourites

Hey Guys,
I hope you all had a good weekend and are enjoying the lovely sun!

I feel like I haven't done a favourites in ages, so without further a do.
Here are my June Favourites

Music Monday : Song Lyrics

Hey Guys,

I was listening to some songs that I have recently stumble apon & fallen in love with. Then I started to question why I like these songs so much. One of the reason was the lyrics.

Here are my favourite lyrics from some of my favourite songs.

Daughter - Youth

"..if you're still breathing, you're the lucky ones.

'Cause most of us are heaving through corrupted lungs.."

There is something so hopeful in these lyrics. Even if you have been through a hard time, other people may have been through worse & you should count your blessings and call yourself lucky.

Marina & the Diamonds - Savages

"..Underneath it all were just savages hidden behind shirts ties and marriages.."

This song is very unusual & I think that's why I like it so much. I like the message behind these lyrics that even the people who seem civilised may not have very civilised thoughts or actions.

 

James Blunt - Bonfire Hearts

"..People like us we don't need that much just someone that starts, starts the spark in our bonfire hearts.."

 These lyrics set a lovely reminder that life is simple and we don't need materialistic things to be happy, just people we love.

Let me know some of your favourite songs & lyrics in the comments

Love always,
Nixie

Fashion Rut

Hey Guys,

 

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a fashion rut? You open your closet to find clothes that you either live in or never wear. Well that's exactly the problem I have.

 

I feel bored of my current clothes & want to wear something new.I have gone shopping a few times in an attempt to solve this problem. Only be met by a vast amount of crochet crop tops and booty shorts. Which I don't want to wear everyday, needless to say we don't have that kind of weather here. I bought mom jeans the other day & I love them but I don't know how to wear them.

 

I don't know I just don't feel like I don't know my style at the moment its this weird mess of casual and simple with a desperate attempt to inject more colour. I think I got caught in the transition of the new season.

 

The shops are filled with festival wear which I am very excited to wear to concerts. But I just don't feel like I can wear that style when I go about my day in a rural town in Ireland. I'm planning on going shopping soon and having a through look in the shops. I want to break out of my comfort zone & wear things I wouldn't
usually.
 

Hopefully I will find some inspiration, I'll keep you updated.
 

 

Let me know if you have ever felt this way and let me know if you have any advice
Have a good weekend!
 

Love always,

Nixie

Music Monday

Hey Guys,

This post has been a while coming as last week I was really busy, it was also my birthday so I spent a lot of time with family & friends. #Blessed.

Today I am going to be talking about music. I love music, listening to music, dancing & singing to music.I especially love sharing music.
That's why I'm going to be sharing with you some of my favourite artists.

 Marina & the Diamonds

Starting with Marina..

Little Beauty Haul #3

Hey Guys,

Today I'm going to be doing a mini haul..again oops.

I have been doing a few of these lately so I'll link them here and here if you would like to read them.

So here are my most recent beauty buys.

 

Revlon 24HR Colour Stay Foundation - I have been eyeing up this foundation for awhile now. I have been using my No.7 Instant Radiance foundation for almost 2 years now & as much as I love it, I felt it was time for a change. I have tried this out a few times so far & it gives a very dewy natural look. I really love it so far. A must recommend.

€13.00

 

 

 

NYC Colour Wheel - I have mentioned before that I have been on the hunt for a blusher & couldn't find one I liked. So of course I asked my best friend for some recommendations, and she recommended this one. I picked it up a few weeks ago & gave it a go. Its not very shimmery which I like because I don't particularly like the very shimmery look. It comes in 4 different shades I got mine in 'Pink Cheek Glow'. Its a very good price as well, I don't remember exactly what I paid for it but I know it was less than

€5.

Garnier Miceller Cleansing Wipes- I spotted these Garnier Miceller wipes in Tesco & they quickly grabbed my attention. I have heard of Miceller water & I have heard of cleansing wipes. But never the two together. I love Ganier's Micellers water so these seemed like a good travel version. These will come in handy as I will be spending a few nights away from home soon & my Garnier Miceller water tends to spill. I found out that these wipes are new on the market & at an introductory price of €2.49
 

Hopefully you enjoyed reading.
Hope you all have a good weekend!

Let me know what you have recently purchased.

Love always,
Nixie xx

Summer | Bucketlists & Inspiration

Hey Guys,

 I can't tell you how happy I am that it's finally Summer. I'm currently sitting outside in the scorching sun (extremely rare in Ireland). Today I just want to simply talk about Summer.

During the beginning of Summer I always feel motivated & inspired. I have 3 and a half months to do nothing, or everything and anything. This Summer I am determined to make the most of it before school starts. I have promised myself that I'm going to say yes to any opportunity that I'm offered, even if it scares me.

 Its far to easy for me to waste the days away on the internet. That's why I made a Summer bucket list. I'd be here all day explaining to you everything on my bucket list so I'm just going to talk about some of the most exciting things.

The Colour Dash

 I would really like to do something for charity & now that I have the time, why not? I would love to do The Colour Dash which is taking place in 3 locations in Ireland this year Galway, Cork and Dublin. In aid of the Irish Cancer Society you can run/walk 5k. I hope to rope in as much family & friends to do this with me. I know it will be one of the highlights of Summer.

Getting a job/internship 

Something I want to do this summer is get a job or if not an internship. I have already sent out my C'V's in hopes of earning a few extra bob. If I don't get a job I can still babysit so that's going to be my back up plan. Before September I would love to get more work experience in the careers I'm interested in pursuing.

  

Being creative

This summer I want to put more time and creativity into my blog. I especially want to write more lifestyle posts, after all they are my main focus. The past few weeks I haven't had any good ideas and wasn't feeling overly inspired. But reading other blogs had really helped. I have stared keeping a little notebook to write all of my ideas.I also have a few collaborations up my sleeve.

To those of you still doing exams, don't worry they will be over soon & you will have an amazing summer to look forward to, I promise.

I urge you to make the most of  your summer.

Love always,

Nixie xx

A Little Beauty Haul #2

Hey Guys,

 Today I went shopping, and didn't pick up much but wanted to do a mini haul anyway.

 

La Roche-Posay Intensive 24H Rehydrating Care Pro-Radiance -  I picked this up because none of my moisturisers were doing the trick. I have very dry skin especially in my T-zone. I was talking to the pharmacist & she recommended this for me. It is water based & contains Hyaluronic acid, which helps to hold water in the skin.

€22

 

The second thing I picked up was this beautiful purse from Penneys. I had been admiring this for a while now. My old purse is currently falling apart so what better excuse then to pick up this one..

The gold detailing is so dainty & pretty. They also had it in a pink/cream colour as well which I found really hard to choose between.

€6

 

I hope you enjoyed this & I hope you have a great week!

 

Love always,

Nixie

That 'Perfect' Summer Bod

Hey Guys,

 

Today I want to talk about something important..body image. I think this is something everyone has felt down about at some point. I really think around this time of year body image is very relevant. I hear people getting ready for bikini season and that's fantastic if they want to get healthier or fitter. But I don't like the ideas of getting that 'perfect summer bod'. Using this term makes people automatically have a negative perception of their current body shape and that shouldn't be the case.

 

I just wanted to remind you don't need to have toned abs to wear a bikini or a killer arse to wear shorts. No matter what size or shape you are it really doesn't matter. Nobody has a 'perfect' body because there's no such thing. Wear your body proud because honestly if you act confident you will look & feel it. So please don't worry about too much & make the most of this beautiful weather we have been so blessed with recently.

 

 Work that bikini gurl!

 

I hope you all have a great weekend!

 

Love always,

Nixie xx

FOTD: Fashion Show

 

 

 

Hey Guys,

Today I will be doing another FOTD ( Face Of The Day)

 

A few weeks ago I went to a fashion show with some of my friends. I don't wear make-up to school but I wore a small amount to this event. I thought it might to interesting to show you guys.

 

Collections Lasting Perfection Concealer in '01'

Rimmels Stay Matte Powder

( I recently hit pan, I was so happy)

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

M.U.A's 'Undress Me Too' Palette

 Benefits They're Real Mascara

Niveas Sooth & Protect

M.A.C's Matte Lipstick in 'Please Me'

 

 I haven't been able to upload anything recently as I have been sick after getting my tonsils out.

I some how managed to pick up chicken pox. I've also had a school project that I was working on.

But thankfully I am fully recovered (for now, god knows what else I'll get next).

 

I hope you all have a lovely week!

 

Leave me a comment telling me your current favourite beauty product. :)

 

Love always,

Nixie

FOTD: Simple Saturday

 

Hey Guys,

I hope you are all well.

 

Today I will be doing a FOTD ( Face of the day, or make-up in my case)

 

 So here is what I wore on my face last Saturday.

It was a casual day shopping and drinking hot chocolate with my sister.

 

I normally don't wear much make-up at the weekends, just some concealer & one or two other things.

 

Natural Collection Concealer in 01- because I'm Irish & pale as a ghost. I used this on any blemishes & sometimes under my eyes. 

Nivea Sooth & Protect Lipbalm - I really like this lip balm almost as much as my Carmex. I always have this thrown in my make-up bag to moisturise before applying lipstick.It also has SPF 15 in it which is ideal for Spring & Summer months. 

Mac Satin Lipstick in 'Rebel' - This is my favourite lipstick I wear this almost whenever I have any excuse to wear make-up.  

Benefit They're Real Mascara- I got this mascara in December & I have been using it ever since. I also would love to try Benefits new mascara 'The Rollar Lash'.

 

I am currently sitting on the couch in my pj's ready & waiting to watch 'The Late Late Show' with some hot chocolate.

Also in a bit of pain as I'm recovering from a tonsillectomy, at least I can eat as many pancakes as I want.

 

Love always,

Nixie

 

 

Mini Beauty Haul #1

Hey guys,
 As I mentioned in my February Chit Chat I have been doing a lot more shopping lately, mainly clothes but here are the few beauty related things I picked up.
 

 

Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer- I got this as I had heard a lot of good things about it. I had borrowed my friends a good bit & really liked it. I also didn't have a good drugstore bronzer that I really liked. I have used this once since I purchased it & I really like how it looks. However  I disagree that it smells like chocolate, more like vanilla essence, not complaining though!
 

 

Garnier Miceller Water for Sensitive - Combination Skin- If you are any way involved in the beauty community then I am sure you have heard about this. Apparently it is a great dupe for Bioderma's cleansing water. I decided to purchased this as I had a lot of 'home late & don't want to take my make-up off ' nights. I was using wipes but I know that they wern't good for my skin & they didn't really do the best job in taking off my make-up. I'm haven't used this product enough times to give it a full review, but so far so good.
 

 

Tresemmé Expert Selection Keratin Smooth Hair Oil- I was recently in Boots the other day with my friend, she was picking up some Tresemmé conditioner & it was buy one get one free. So we decided to split the price. I ended up paying 3.50 euro for hair oil. Bargin! Hopefully this will make the ends of my hair softer & prevent breaking.

Let me know if you have any of theses products & what you thought of them.

Love always,

 

2 year anniversary

 

Hey Guys,

Happy Thursday!

Today may seem like any old Thursday but this day 2 years ago I signed up to blogger and wrote my first blog post. Little did I know I would be celebrating 2 years later.
 

The past two years

 

In the last two years I have become friends with some amazing bloggers and I have found so many really great blogs. I also have been lucky enough to have been nominated for tags & awards. A few weeks ago I organised my first guest posts on this blog.
( which can be read here)
Thank you to anyone who has been apart of this.

 

Why I started blogging?

Before I started blogging I watched a lot of  beauty YouTube videos & really wanted a go myself. But I wanted something a bit more anonymous. That's when I discovered blogging & knew it was the perfect creative outlet for me.

 

Why I blog

I've always been very creative (or so I have been told). Blogging is a way for me to be creative while talking about the things I love. It also allows me to spread positively & awareness about certain things.
 

The future 

Hopefully I will continue blogging for a long time. In the future I would like to keep making  posts that mean a lot to me. I also want to continue to frequently upload posts.

 To anyone who has ever commented, wrote a guest posts,tagged me or read any of my posts. I would have quit long ago if I didn't have the wonderful support that I have I'm very grateful.

Thank you for everything

 

Love always & always,

 

 

Spring Florals

 

Hey Guys,

A few weeks ago my best friend invited me to a wedding as her guest.

I'm really looking forward to the wedding but one small problem I don't really have anything new to wear.

 

So of course I scoured the internet for a nice dress & I defiantly found a few.

Almost all of the dresses I liked were beautiful bright floral patterns. 

I thought I would share with you some of these beautiful dresses. 

 

Top Row L-R

Hallie Bandaeu Skater Dress

Boohoo 31 euro.

 

Daisy Airtex Dress

Topshop 205 euro.

 

Tibi Bandeau Dress by TFNC

Topshop 62 euro.

 

Boohoo Audra Sweetheart Dark Floral Midi Dress

Boohoo 18 euro.

 

Catalina Dress by Motel

Topshop 52 euro.

 

Bottom Row L-R

  Edith Monochrome Floral Print Bodycon Dress

Boohoo 31 euro.

 

Floral cotton dress

Karen Millen 199 euro.

 

Floral Shift Dress

Warehouse 66 euro.

 

Black Flower Print Chiffon Skater Dress

 New Look 39 euro.

 Tori Monochrome Plunge Front Belted Skater Dress
Boohoo 31 euro.

I think I have said floral enough times now!

Let me know your favourite dress in the comments.
Hope you all have a lovely evening!

Love always,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things I love about Spring

Hey Guys,

So Spring 2015 is in full swing.

Since ' Things I Love About Summer ' is my most popular blog post, I though you guys would enjoy a Spring edition.
 

So here I present to you the things I love about Spring!

 

1. Holidays- Easter, St.Particks Day, Valentines Day, Pancake Tuesday
( except maybe Ash Wednesday, I'm not the biggest fan of Lent)

2. New Fashion Trends & Collections.

 

 

 3.Not having to dress like an eskimo if I want to step outside.

 

4. The pretty flowers.
( Snowdrops, daffodils, roses & especially daises)

 

 

5. Florals everywhere.. on the trees.. on our clothes.. in our hair

6. Everything feels fresh & new

 

 

7. Making plans & booking holidays for Summer

8. The beautiful sunsets.

 

9.Longer days 

10. Music Festivals

 

Let me know in the comments what you love about spring.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
Love always,