What I Got For My 18th Birthday

Just to be clear, this post is in no way bragging. I think it's interesting to document what I had for my birthday as 18 is such a special age and it's also might give you ideas/inspiration if you're looking for presents for someone special!
I felt so lucky, I'd been spoiled by my family and friends. You can read about what I got up to on my birthday here.

I had two bracelets off my best friends - one from Links of London, and the other Kurt Geiger.

My group of friends all chipped in to buy me a birthstone ring from Pandora, and a photo album with hand picked photos and hand written messages.

 

From another friend I had another Pandora ring and the cuddliest, fluffiest penguin teddy I have EVER laid eyes on!!

 

I had two more pandora charms to put on my bracelet. A fairy and a Forest one with my birthstone.

 

I had a lot of other bits and bobs, including perfume and plenty of alcohol!

 

Lynsey xxx

 



Welsh Culture: The Eisteddfod

A large precentage of the world doesn't even realise Wales' existence, and if they do...  they probably think it's in England. Wales is a beautiful country with our own language and culture. If you ever get the chance to come to Wales I would recomend it as it's so pretty and there's lots to see and do.
The first week of August was the National Eisteddfod. It was in a beautiful location, right on the seafront. I just wanted to share some photos of a really enjoyable day out! It's a culture festival which is held annually. People from all over Wales come to compete in competitions such as singing, dancing etc. As well as enjoy walking aroung the stalls, enjoying great music and entertainment. You can read more about it here and here

Here are some of my photos from the day.

 

Lynsey xxx

My 18th Birthday

Being born in August has some pros and cons. One of the major cons being, I'm the youngest in my school year and group of friends which means that until I turned 18... I wasn't able to go out and do a lot of things - which sucks!
But last week (14th of August) was my 18th birthday which now means I can go out when my friends go out (instead of having to go home *sighs*)
I was lucky enough to share my birthday with the UK's A Level Results Day... on which I also recieved my results.
I recieved an ABB (A - Religious Education, B - History, B - Drama). I'm very pleased with my results and I know I worked really hard!

I had an amazing birthday, and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. All my friends and family spoilt me.
So the night before my birthday I went out for a delicious meal with my father, brother and best friend at a local sea front italian. It's a birthday tradition to go there. We then went home to see my birthday in with a glass of Asti.

 My outfit

Shoes - Clarks

Skirt - Hollister (last year)

Jumper - All Saints (Last year)

Cardi - H&M

Bag - All Saints (Old)

 

I had to get up early the next morning to head into school to collect my results, before going for breakfast with my family.
I then had a busy few hours visiting my friends, family and neighbours!
As it was results night everyone was heading into town! I was really nervous and excited as obviously I'd never been before!

Dress - Miss Guided

Shoes - Primark

Make Up - Club MAC Eyeshadow

 

This week, I had a small gathering of friends around in my house to continue with the celebrations.

Turning 18 is a big deal in the UK... I'm not a fully fledged adult. Although I don't feel like it!!!!

Playsuit - Oh My Love (Pineapple and Flamingo)

And I must say I've had a wonderful 18 years on this planet, and have enjoyed almost every minute. I've met some amazing people and look forward to making more amazing memories, here's to the next 18 years!

 

Lynsey xxx

Personal Growth

As a child I was always nervous and quiet. Being extremely shy I found it hard to adjust to new situations and make friends, just generally talking to people terrified me.
I would feel ill (because I was so nervous) before I had to go somewhere and I would let other people enquire on my behalf e.g letting my parents order my food in restaurants. I think it's hard for other people to really understand what it's like. It's kind of like social anxiety. I would be terrified of not knowing what to say or embarassing myself.
I feel that it really has affected me as I grow up, I feel sad that I haven't made as many friends as I possibly could have. And that I've made such bad impresions on others.
As I've gotten older I've seen and felt myself change and develop.

Everyday tasks have slowly gotten much easier for me. I am more prepared to answer the phone, order my food in restaurant, go to the til in shops, ask sales assistants for help. In a weird way I'm very proud of how far I've come and even my family have noticed the difference in me.

Here's some of the things I've done that I feel have helped me grow!

Joining a choir/hobby
When I was asked to join a choir I REALLY didn't like the idea! I couldn't think of anything worse than having to socialise, or sing in front of people I didn't know (even though I love singing). But I got pushed into doing and it was the best decision of my life. It's one of the main reasons I'm much more confident now, and I've made some amazing friends along the way. So even though it terrified me I stuck at it and I'm so glad I did.
If you have a hobby you'd like to persue, go out and do it!!!!!!!!

Getting a Job
I was so lucky to get this job! Luckily my brother had worked there before me, so they sort of knew my family. At the time I was looking for a job, a position came up. It was my first job (I was 16) and it was a totally new social situation. I didn't have the slightest clue what I was doing and for months and months I would feel physically ill, and shake before a shift. But two years later and I'm very comfartable and happy with my job. Talking to strangers is no longer an issue for me!

Driving
When you turn 17 in the UK you can learn to drive. Compared to most people my age I wasn't paticularly fussed on learning to drive, but it's one of those things you kind of have to do. So my mother booked me some lessons. I hated it!!!!!! If I didn't have to drive I would gladly allow others to drive me around for the rest of my life because I hated it so much. After one long and painful year of goodness knows how many hour lessons, on 8/8/2014 I passed my driving test! I carried on with lessons even though I hated it. I would start feeling anxious about a lesson the day before, then on the day of my lesson I wouldn't be able to eat or speak and I'd be really irritable. Yes I actually despised it that much. But I passed my driving test first time! Woohoo! I'm so proud of myself even though I don't fully believe I've passed!


Sorry for the ramble-style of this post. I just wanted to document this. As I feel I've grown so much in the past 3 years, for many reasons, the above being the main ones. So do something that terrifies you and who knows what might happen!

Lynsey xxx

Summer Make Up - Tie Dye Eyeshadow

I originally saw this look on Poppy Rawson's youtube channel (I love her channel, check out the video here) I knew I wanted to try out this look for myself.

What To Do

Step 1
Cover the eye with a primer to cover up any redness or veins.

Step 2
Use a white eyeliner to line the eye and create the base shape. I used NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk.

Step 3
I used the MUA Glitterball Palette to create the tie dye. I used the white shimmery colour on the front 1/3 of the eye. Towards the centre of the eye I went in with a light blue eyeshadow
(I used blue for this look but obviously you could use pink or green or any colour you wanted!)
 On the outer third I again went over the white with a darker blue, and finished off with a navy eye shadow from the Body Shop (Blue Over You)

Step 4
To deepen the colour of the outer 1/3 I created a slight flick using a navy eyeliner, I used one from Avon. (Colour trend - Midnight Blue)

And that's it, it's so simple yet it looks like you've put in lots of effort! Finish off with lots of bronzer and lots of black mascara!

Lynsey xxx

This is Part 3 of a Summer Series - Favourite Make Up Looks
View Part 1 here
Part 2 - here

Summer Make Up - A Pop of Colour

Here is one of the make up looks I'll be rocking this summer! Purple eyeshadow with blue mascara. I would suggest keeping the rest of the look basic and let the eyes do the talking!
 

 Step 1.
I used the Sleek Vintage Romance Palette (review available to read here). I placed the silver eyeshadow all over the lid, the purple eyeshadow was used on the outter 3/4 of the eye. To blend in the crease I used the red tonned brown!

 Step 2.
I used this blue Avon Super Shock Gel Eyeliner in Shimmering Sapphire to line the eyes.

 Step 3.
I used this Maybelline Color Shock Mascara in Blue Electric to coat the lashes.

 

Lynsey xxx

This is Part 2 of a Summer Series - Favourite Make Up Looks
View Part 1 here
Part 3 - here

Summer Make Up - Bold Lip

This make up look has got to be my favourite make up look ever! A bold matte lip, bronzed and highlighted skin, with lashing and lashing of mascara! So simple, yet the bold lip adds an extra 'something something' to the look.

Lip Colour - Bourjois Velvet Matte - Ping Pong

 

Lynsey xxx


This is Part 1 of a Summer Series - Favourite Make Up Looks
View Part 2 here
Part 3 - here 

Holiday Haul

I recently went on holiday to Zante (you can see what I got up to, with photos in this post) and airports mean one thing - duty free! I toke full advantage of this....

Here are some of the things I picked up...

Glam Glow Mud Mask

This was very expensive but hey ho I thought I'd give it a go!

Rimmel Lipstick Set

This set includes every lip colour you could need - a red (01), a pink(05), and a variation of nudes(08, 03)! They're highly pigmented, good staying power, and nice shades!

Travel-O

Handy to put your perfume in to take away!!!


 HD Eyebrow Kit

 
I have mixed feeling on this product!! I don't feel the shades are totally right for me, but I'm going to try and make it work! Possibly a good product to take away because all 4 shades can also work to create a smokey eye.

 

 

 

Lynsey xxx