My Summer Goals | July - September 2017

Hey Guys!

Now that I've finished my first year at university I have a very long summer, three months in fact so I wanted to create some goals to achieve over summer so that I could be kept busy being motivated working towards something. I love setting small goals to achieve so that I can be passionate and productively working towards something. From the list you'll be able to see a lot of them are based around a healthier lifestyle and eating healthier and that is due to the fact I want to start looking after my body a lot more, I'm very slim but that doesn't mean I'm healthy on the inside. Therefore, I want to take steps to improve my lifestyle.  

#1 Complete My Reading List 

For the summer I've created a list of books I want to have finished by the time I go back to university. Recently I've got back into reading and exploring different genres. At the moment I'm reading 'Henry the VIII's Wives' and its a great read if your after the facts but also a story. A blog post discussing the list of books I'm determined to finish by the end of this summer will be uploaded next week, so look out for it if your interested in finding out what types of books I'm interested in reading ❤ 

#2 Start Taking Multivitamins

Like I said at the beginning of the post I'm aiming to improve my lifestyle and diet and one step is to start taking multivitamins with iron. I used to take vitamins when I was younger but then once I started secondary school I stopped, so I thought it was about time I started taking them again. I chose multivitamins because I'll be getting a great mixture of all the important vitamins like B12, Vitamin C and Vitamin D while also having an intake of Iron. I get tired very easily these days so I thought by getting multivitamins with iron as well might help with giving me a natural boost of energy. 

#3 Work Out 4 Times a Week

I'm very hit and miss when it comes to exercise, I'll be really motivated for about a week and then I'll give up and get back to being lazy but this summer I'm determined to stick to it. As part of my new healthy lifestyle goal I'm determined to become more active and to the point where I start seeing results. I've been following Blogilates's videos and tips, and geez she works you hard! 

#4 Start Drinking Green Tea Every Morning Instead of a Cup of Tea

I do love a nice cup of tea when I wake up in the morning to give me a boost but I put three teaspoons of sugar in my cup of tea (bad I know haha!) so instead I'm swapping it for more cups of green tea. Green tea isn't the most flavourful drink to have but I'm so used to having it that the taste doesn't bother me anymore. Therefore, this summer I'm determined to drink more and have a full on detox!

#5 Drink At Least Two Bottles of Water a Day

I've never thought much of drinking lots of water and its benefits to my skin and lifestyle but recently I've realised how clearer by skin has become after starting to drink more water throughout the day. So, I'm determined this summer to drink lots more water to help clear my skin a lot more and stay hydrated. There is no harm in drinking more water and by adding cucumber it is a very refreshing drink for the hot months (hopefully coming to the UK).  By aiming for two bottles I hope that I'll be drinking more than that, but two bottles is good for the start of a new routine. 

#6 Start Juicing 

I got into the habit of buying Naked juices because they are full of different vitamins and fruits and they are a great drink to have for health benefits but then I started realising how expensive it is to buy fruit juices and you aren't 100% what is actually in the bottle such as sugars and additives, so instead I'm going to start making my own juice so I know exactly what is in the drink and it will work out much cheaper in the long run compared to constantly buying a bottle from Sainsburys or Tesco :)

#7 Complete My Watch List

Like my reading list I also have a list of all the shows and movies I want to watch while I'm home. Now I have a lot more time on my hands I can binge watch all the different Netflix series I've been meaning to watch for months! There are also tons of films I want to watch that were in cinema but I never got a chance to see, so throughout the summer I'm gonna complete a few box-sets and recent films. These include Orange is The New Black, Versailles, Peaky Blinders, The Tudors, The Shadow Hunters and The Girl on The Train, Moana and the new Beauty and Beast. 

#8 Keep On Top of Skincare Routine

I've got myself into a great night time skin care routine that has been really helping my skin, especially with clearing up my acne scars and retaining the moisture in my skin while I sleep.  So I want to keep on top of it so that I start seeing more positive results. It is so important to look after your skin and finally I've found a routine that works for me, so hopefully over summer my skin will make some improvements and become healthier. 

#9 Stretch Every Night

Sometimes I really struggle to sleep if I've had a really productive day and my mind is still whizzing round so I want to get into the habit of stretching and getting into a relaxed state before trying to sleep as I believe it will really help slow down my brains functions so that it will be easier to sleep. This should also help me get into a better sleeping routine as I'm trying to get up earlier in the morning, therefore I need to sleep earlier. 

#10 Start Eating Healthier

I've never been really unhealthy where I eat junk food everyday but I could definitely be eating healthier and better meals, and I've already started since I've been home but I want to continue eating better quality food and meals all through summer. Obviously it doesn't mean I can't have treats like ice cream, cake and snacks but I just want to be having a more balanced diet and eating food that is better for my lifestyle and skin. I've been keeping a meal diary so I record recipes and food that I really enjoy and can keep making ❤ 

What do you want to achieve this summer? Let me know in the comments below! 

See you on Sunday my lovelies! ❤ 

Amy xx

Rituals...Happy Buddha|Sweet Orange & Cedar Wood|First Impressions

 Hey Guys!

Around two weeks ago my friend left to go back to Holland for summer now that our first year of uni is over and she gave me this shower gel to try out as she couldn't take it back with her. When she gave it to me she claimed how good of a product it was and that the amount of product in the bottle will go a long way, more than a usual shower gel and that it would smell amazing! Well today I tried it out for the first time and first impressions are good ❤ 

The first thing I noticed was the smell, damn! Normally, I don't like orange scented body care but it wasn't overpowering and obvious, it was subtle and I like it, and unlike some body washes the scent actually remained on my skin when I was out of the shower and getting dressed. When the product came out of the pump it was a clear translucent type gel but then within seconds it started to expand in my hand, becoming foam. It didn't expand so quickly that it was wasted by falling off my hand but it gave me time to start lathering the product over my body. With just two or three pumps I didn't have to use anymore as that was the perfect amount, I love products that lather up loads so this was perfect! 

Another factor I noticed is that it didn't dry my skin out, most body washes I have used start to dry my skin out and so areas around my legs and shoulders start to get really dry and flaky. Whereas, I noticed with Rituals my skin has still retained the moisture and leaves a nice smooth feeling. It wouldn't be a good exfoliate or scrub as it has no beads or exfoliating properties, but its great for a long lasting smell and the quality of the gel. Considering its £8.50 on their website I would hope the product lasted a long time, was high quality and didn't feel cheap on my skin so I would say the price definitely reflects the quality. I enjoyed using this product and will be adding it to my favourite shower products! 

If the product had a stronger orange scent and ran out quickly I probably would not be impressed and wouldn't bother with it again but I'm pleasantly surprised!

I'm not sure I'll be splashing out the £8.50 myself when the product eventually runs out, but its nice to use for a treat at the moment. Thank you Jenn! ❤ 

What products have you been using recently and what are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below :)

See you on Wednesday my lovelies!❤ 

Amy xx 

Where Have I Been?

Hey Guys!

Sorry that I've been gone for so long and for not uploading any content in the last couple of weeks! 

As most of you know from May to June it is exams and final assignment period at university, so I was really busy finishing all my last assignments and making sure I'd completed all the work that needed to be handed in. I also spent a lot of my time celebrating the end of my first year at university with all my friends and just enjoying my time of freedom from assignments and readings haha! 

But while I've been gone a lot has been going on. I've finished my first year at Newcastle University, my flatmates and I have moved out of our university accommodation and we are due to get the keys for our new house on the 19th July, I've come back to my home town for summer to see all my family and friends and now its time to mentally prepare for the second year of university!   

I've got some fun blog posts planned for this summer which I can't wait to share with you guys and I've got some summer goals I want to document on here. So my usual posting days will be the same, Wednesdays and Sundays at 6pm. I look forward to sharing some new content with you guys! 

See you tomorrow my lovelies for a new post! ❤ 

Amy xx